I ran my own business for 30 years. After I retired I worked part time for H&R Block. I had many clients just like you. Part of going into business is performing some sort of work or service to earn a living, the other forgotten, neglected part is accounting, which is simply keeping track of all the financial aspects of your business. Many people foolishly neglect this part of being in business, but the IRS never forgets and what you don't take time to learn and understand will come back to bite you. You may feel under attack, but all the information is readily available. You will pay the same rate of federal income tax as everyone else, but you will pay twice the Medicare and Social Security because you pay your share and the share normally paid by your employer which is now you. You speak of keeping records or a spreadsheet to track expenses as optional. You can't take any expenses if you don't have receipts and written records. You CPA may take your word for it, but if you are audited the IRS will not.