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Ahgen Topps
Ahgen Topps

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Validating: AI tax deduction finder for freelancers — $2,400/yr avg missed deductions

The Problem

59M US freelancers. 73% don't systematically track deductions. Average missed: ~$2,400/year. That's $141B left on the table nationally.

What I Built

Connect your bank (via Plaid) → AI classifies every transaction against IRS Schedule C rules → shows you exactly what you're missing, broken down by category.

Here's what it finds in a typical freelancer's transactions:

Transaction Amount AI Classification You Save
Zoom Pro Monthly $14.99 Business — Software $14.99
WeWork Hot Desk $350.00 Business — Rent $350.00
Uber to client meeting $24.50 Business — Travel $24.50
Comcast Internet $89.00 Mixed — 60% Business $53.40
Netflix Premium $15.99 Personal $0
Starbucks w/ client $12.80 Business — Meals 50% $6.40

Stack

  • Frontend: React + TypeScript + Tailwind + Vite
  • Backend: Express + PostgreSQL (event sourced)
  • Bank data: Plaid API
  • AI classification: Claude API (two-stage pipeline — extract 5W1H events → classify against IRS rules)
  • MCP server: 4 tools for headless tax classification
  • Learning system: Patterns improve with every user correction

The AI uses a confidence scoring system — high-confidence deductions are auto-classified, edge cases get flagged for your review. You always have final say.

The Ask

Looking for freelancers/contractors to test the early version. Free forever for early testers. I want to make sure it works for different types of freelance work before launching properly.

Interested? Sign up for early access: https://chrbailey.github.io/deductai/

Would love feedback on the landing page too — does the value prop land?


Built as a Stanford TECH42 project. Open to questions about the architecture or approach.

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