Episode notes
You aren’t just an athlete , you’re a business owner. It’s time to start acting like one.Most college athletes and influencers are overlooking their biggest financial opponent: the IRS. In this essential episode of ESA: Unfiltered, we sit down with Denzel Luna, a former college athlete and the Founder & CEO of Nexa Tax. Denzel is on a mission to bridge the financial literacy gap for the NIL generation, ensuring that young stars don't lose their hard-earned income to avoidable tax blunders.
If you’re making money from endorsements, social media, or appearances, you are officially a business owner, and that comes with a whole new set of rules. From $20,000 deductions to avoiding "the audit trap," Denzel breaks down the complex world of taxes into a winning game plan for your wealth.
Inside this episode, we discuss:
The CEO Mindset: Why shifting from "player" to "business owner" is the most important move you’ll make this year.
The $20K Strategy: A real-life look at how one athlete saved $20,000 in taxes simply by tracking their expenses properly.
Deduction Secrets: What can you actually write off? We dive into how nutrition, gear, travel, and even endorsement products can become tax-saving assets.
LLCs & Legal Protection: When is it time to move beyond a 1099 and structure your brand as a legitimate business entity?
Nexa Tax Innovation: How Denzel created the first platform designed to automate the tax process specifically for student-athletes and creators.
Avoiding the "Audit Trap": The common mistakes that lead to IRS penalties and how to stay compliant while maximizing your take-home pay.
About Our Guest:Denzel Luna is the Founder & CEO of Nexa Tax. As a former college athlete, he saw firsthand the lack of financial support available for players navigating the new NIL landscape. He created Nexa Tax to simplify bookkeeping and tax preparation, empowering athletes to focus on their game while their finances are handled with professional-grade precision.
Whether you’re an aspiring pro, a social media influencer, or a parent guiding a young athlete, this episode is the financial coaching you didn’t know you needed. Hit play to secure your bag and protect your future.
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