Web Developer Taxes in Kansas - 2026 Guide

Updated for 2026 (Filing 2025 Taxes)

Tax Essentials for a Web Developer in Kansas

From crafting responsive designs for Wichita businesses to building e-commerce platforms for farms across the Sunflower State, web development offers exciting opportunities in Kansas. However, alongside the creative freedom comes the responsibility of managing taxes as a self-employed individual.

As a web developer operating as an independent contractor in Kansas, the federal government requires reporting all business income and expenses on Schedule C (Profit or Loss From Business) with Form 1040. Crucially, income exceeding $400 necessitates the payment of self-employment tax, covering both Social Security and Medicare contributions.

How Kansas Handles Gig Worker Taxes

As a resident of Kansas, a state income tax return is required, regardless of income level. Kansas utilizes a graduated income tax system, meaning the tax rate increases as income increases. For the 2025 tax year, Kansas taxpayers will utilize Form K-40 to report their income. Self-employed individuals will also need to file Schedule K-1 (Form K-40-SE), Self-Employment Income, to calculate their Kansas taxable income from their web development business. Kansas allows for a standard deduction, the amount of which changes annually; however, itemizing deductions may be more beneficial, especially with business expenses. Estimated tax payments are generally required quarterly if a taxpayer expects to owe $1,000 or more in Kansas income tax. Failing to make timely estimated payments can result in penalties. Kansas also offers various credits and deductions that may apply to web developers, such as those related to business investments or specific industries. It's important to stay updated on any changes to Kansas tax laws, as they can impact tax liabilities. For the most current information and forms, please visit the Kansas Department of Revenue website: https://www.ksrevenue.gov/

Key Tax Deductions for Home-Based Web Developers

• Home Office Deduction: The home office deduction allows web developers to deduct expenses related to the portion of their home exclusively and regularly used for business. “Exclusive use” means that space is only used for work; a dining room table used for both family meals and coding doesn’t qualify. “Regular use” means consistent, ongoing use for business purposes. Taxpayers can calculate the deduction using the simplified method ($5 per square foot, up to 300 square feet) or the actual expense method (calculating a percentage of mortgage interest, rent, utilities, etc., based on the square footage used for business).
• Hardware & Software: The costs of essential tools like computers, monitors, cameras (for video conferencing), and software subscriptions (Adobe Creative Cloud, web hosting, code editors) are generally deductible as business expenses. For items with a useful life of more than one year, depreciation or Section 179 expensing may apply.
• Internet & Phone Bill: If a portion of internet and phone usage is directly related to business activities, that percentage can be deducted. For example, if 75% of internet use is for client work, 75% of the bill is deductible. Maintaining detailed records to support this percentage is crucial.

Note on Mileage: As a home-based worker, mileage deductions are less common. However, any travel directly related to client meetings, attending industry events, or procuring supplies for the business can be claimed using the standard mileage rate or actual expenses.

The 15.3% Self-Employment Tax Explained

The 15.3% self-employment tax comprises two components: 12.4% for Social Security and 2.9% for Medicare. This tax is essentially the equivalent of the employer and employee portions of these taxes when working for a traditional employer. Taxpayers can deduct one-half of their self-employment tax from their gross income when calculating their adjusted gross income (AGI).