Taxes for Humans: How to Stop Feeling Confused, Intimidated, and Behind
How to understand your taxes, find the right accountant, and stop treating tax season like an emergency
Taxes can feel intimidating, confusing, and deeply emotional—especially if you're self-employed or earning good money and still feel unsure about what you're doing.
In this episode, Shari Rash, founder of GWA Wealth, sits down with tax expert Hannah Cole to talk about what taxes actually look like in real life—and why so many people feel overwhelmed by them.
Hannah shares how her own experience as a working artist led her to become a tax professional and build a company focused on helping people understand their taxes without shame or judgment. Together, Shari and Hannah break down the difference between tax preparation and tax planning, why finding the right accountant matters more than most people realize, and how small decisions throughout the year can significantly impact your tax bill.
They also discuss what to do if you owe more than expected, how to think about retirement accounts like IRAs and HSAs, why tax literacy is one of the most powerful financial skills you can build, and the mindset shift that helps you stop seeing taxes as punishment and start seeing them as part of a long-term financial strategy.
If you've ever felt confused about taxes, nervous about filing, or frustrated that your tax bill keeps rising as your income grows, this episode will help you understand what's really happening and what to do next.
You'll hear why taxes feel so personal, how to evaluate and interview an accountant, what actions you can still take after the year ends, and the simple habits that make tax season dramatically less stressful.
The podcast is where we start the conversation. The ETM Club is where we build the plan. If you want deeper guidance, live support, and a place to actually follow through, this is your next step. You can join us anytime at everyonestalkinmoney.com
If you’re ready for personalized, judgment-free financial guidance, learn more about working with Shari. Shari Rash is the founder of GWA Wealth, a virtual advisory firm helping women make confident, values-aligned decisions with their money. Visit GWA Wealth to explore your next step.
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Shari Rash is a financial planner and Investment Adviser Representative of GWA Wealth, a Registered Investment Adviser. The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. Listening to this podcast does not create an advisory relationship with Shari Rash or GWA Wealth. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Any references to specific investments, strategies, or securities are for illustrative purposes only and are not recommendations. You should consult your own financial advisor, tax professional, or attorney regarding your individual situation before making any financial decisions.
The views expressed by guests are their own and don’t necessarily reflect the views of GWA Wealth.
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Author and Founder of Sunlight Tax
Hannah Cole is a tax expert who specializes in working with self-employed people, especially creative and mission-driven ones. A long-time working artist herself, she’s helped tens of thousands of self-employed people skill up with accessible tax and money education, through her Money Bootcamp program, tax workshops from Florida to Alaska, and on the Sunlight Tax podcast. Her forthcoming book, Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You’re Self-Employed, is the most funny and empowering tax guide you’ll ever read. Hannah is the founder of Sunlight Tax.