Benjamin Beck, CFP®“I’m juggling winnings and endorsement deals—how can I simplify my taxes without getting overwhelmed by deductions and deadlines?”
When you’re hitting podiums and hosting clinics, your income comes from every angle: prize money, sponsor checks, coaching fees, even merchandise sales. That patchwork of revenue streams can make tax season feel like another WOD—one you didn’t train for. Come April 15th (in the U.S.), you could open an envelope to a nasty surprise: a big tax bill you haven’t saved for, plus interest and penalties for underpayment. Even worse, scrambling to cover that bill means you miss out on the real power of compounding—letting your returns and savings grow over time.
With four simple habits, you can keep more of your hard-earned cash, reduce year-end stress, and get back to focusing on your performance.
1) Set Aside 20–25% of Every Check
What to do: As soon as you receive prize money, a coaching fee, or a sponsorship payout, transfer 20–25 percent of it into a dedicated tax savings account.
Why it matters: This is your “pay yourself first” move for taxes. Instead of guessing how much you owe at year-end, you’ll already have the cash on hand. No more dipping into your emergency fund or calling your bank at the last minute. It takes two taps on your phone—one to transfer, one to breathe easy.
Pro tip: Automate the transfer so you never forget. Many banking apps let you set up recurring transfers based on deposit amounts or dates.
2) Separate Your Business Income
What to do: Open a dedicated checking account for your business. All sponsorship checks, prize-money deposits, and coaching revenue go here—nothing else.
Why it matters: Mixing personal and business funds is like doing wall balls with a flat tire—it slows you down and creates unnecessary risk. A separate account keeps your bookkeeping clean, makes quarterly or year-end filings a breeze, and protects your personal assets if you ever need liability protection through an LLC or corporation.
3) Track Every Business Expense
What to do: Document every dollar you spend on your training and brand: travel to competitions, recovery massages, gear purchases, even software subscriptions for coaching clients. Snap a photo of each receipt and log it.
Quick win: Use a dedicated credit card for every business-related purchase. Never for personal personal expenses—this distinction makes expense tracking seamless and ensures you capture every write-off.
Why it matters: Every legitimate business expense lowers your taxable income, which means you pay less tax overall. If you’ve ever missed a deduction because you lost a receipt, you know how costly that can be. A few seconds to snap and tag keeps you audit-ready and maximizes your write-offs—more money back in your pocket instead of Uncle Sam’s.
Example: That $100 recovery session might save you $30–$40 in taxes if you’re in a 30–40 percent bracket. Track it.
4) Consider the S-Corp Election (U.S. Athletes)
What to do: If you’re in the U.S. and your athlete LLC is generating consistent net profits—typically $50,000 or more—talk to your CPA about electing S-Corp status. You’ll file IRS Form 2553 and run simple payroll.
Why it matters: Without an S-Corp, all your business income is subject to self-employment tax (15.3 percent for Social Security and Medicare). With S-Corp, you pay yourself a “reasonable salary” (subject to payroll taxes) and take the remainder as owner distributions, which aren’t hit with self-employment tax.
- Scenario: $100,000 net profit
- $60,000 salary → payroll taxes apply
- $40,000 distribution → skips self-employment tax, saving roughly $6,120
Those thousands in savings often outweigh the modest cost of setting up payroll.
Heads up: S-Corp isn’t just for mega-earners. If you have regular sponsorship income, coaching gigs, or merchandise sales, it can pay for itself quickly.
Beyond the U.S.: International Structures
If you compete or coach outside the U.S., there are similar advantages:
- Canada (CCPC): Incorporate as a Canadian-Controlled Private Corporation to access the small-business deduction on your first $500,000 of active-business income—tax rates can drop to around 9–15 percent.
- Australia (Pty Ltd): A proprietary limited company pays a flat 25–30 percent corporate rate, with the option to distribute dividends (often with franking credits). Sole traders report income at personal rates, which can be higher.
No matter where you are—Boston, Brisbane, or Vancouver—understanding your local structure can mean significant tax savings.
Putting It All Together
By combining these four habits, you transform tax season from a chaotic scramble into a routine cooldown:
1. Automate the 20–25 percent transfer on every deposit.
2. Centralize your business income in one account.
3. Document every gym-related expense in real time.
4. Optimize your entity and tax election (S-Corp, CCPC, Pty Ltd) to keep more of your profits.
These moves take minutes each month but pay dividends when you see your net returns and avoid surprise tax bills.
Next Steps
Tax laws vary by country and individual circumstances. This blog is educational only. Don’t take action without consulting a qualified tax professional in your jurisdiction.
If you’d like personalized guidance—whether you’re in the U.S., Canada, Australia, or elsewhere—we’re here to help.
Schedule a 30-minute call with Coach Beck and our team to dive into your specific situation and set up a winning tax playbook.
With organized records, smart account separation, diligent expense tracking, and strategic elections—plus a trusted advisor in your corner—you’ll spend less time on paperwork and more time chasing PRs. Let’s make your next tax season your strongest yet!
Ben Beck is Managing Partner & Chief Investment Officer at Beck Bode, a deliberately different wealth management firm with a unique view on investing, business and life.
A key part of the PFAA's mission is to provide meaningful education and support to athletes. This collaboration between the PFAA and Beck Bode is designed to help athletes navigate the unique financial challenges of their careers - managing variable income, planning for taxes, saving for the future, and building long-term financial security so they are not only prepared for success in competition but also in life outside the sport.