I have multiple types of income this year--consulting, unemployment (no taxes taken), and two different W-2 companies. I have not paid any taxes on the unemployment or consulting, which total only about $20k. I've been keeping books on my expenses. Can I deduct expenses that are greater than my consulting income (for the months I was consulting), such as portion of home rent, car payment, health insurance payments? What is the best way to avoid a big tax bill? Should I just get an accountant to walk me through all this?
