Best Excel Template to Track 1099 Income (Self-Employed, 2026)
The best 1099 template mirrors IRS Schedule C: income & expense tabs in Schedule C categories, a mileage log, a quarterly-tax estimator and a P&L summary. Market price: $13–$16.50, in Excel + Google Sheets. No Schedule C alignment = pain at tax time.
The 5 must-have features
1) Schedule C expense categories, 2) quarterly tax estimator with set-aside percentage, 3) mileage log (the most-missed deduction), 4) monthly P&L rollup, 5) year-end summary your accountant can read in one look.
Spreadsheet vs QuickBooks
Under ~$100K revenue and mostly 1099 income, a well-built spreadsheet does the job without the $30+/month subscription. Past that, or with employees, use software. Most freelancers are firmly in spreadsheet territory.
DEEMWELL's tracker
The 1099 Bookkeeping Spreadsheet ($14.95) has all five features; the Freelancer Bookkeeping (SoloCFO) ($19) adds invoices-owed, runway and pay-yourself planning.