31 Tax Write-Offs for Self-Employed Dentists
Does the thought of paying your taxes as a small business owner leave a cavity in your heart?
We get it, the bills can seem huge — almost like the IRS is trying to drill all your profits out of you. Luckily, there’s an easy way to fill in that fresh hole in your pocket: simply cement your savings in place by making sure you claim all the business expenses you’re entitled to as write-offs.
From mouthwash to scrubs to business conferences, every ordinary industry expense can actually save you at tax time! If that doesn’t make you smile, we don’t know what will.
Schedule C, Box 13 (Fixed asset)
Dental equipment like X-ray machines and drills can be deducted.
Schedule C, Box 13
Each year you can deduct the depreciation on equipment like your cameras and lenses.
Schedule C, Box 27a
Any uniforms you're required to wear on the job are considered tax-deductible.
Schedule C, Box 18
Deduct anything you buy for your office, like pens, binders, folders, printer ink, or a whiteboard.
Schedule C, Box 20b
If you rent an office to see patients, you can write this off.
Schedule C, Box 27a
Coaching, seminars, or workshops used to maintain your work-related skills can be written off.
Schedule C, Box 8
Print and online advertising costs for your business are considered write-offs.
Schedule C, Box 8
Squarespace, Wix, GoDaddy, and other website service fees are fully tax-deductible.
Schedule C, Box 27a
You need your license to keep practicing. So paying for renewals is a deductible expense!
Schedule C, Box 27a
If you pay for JADA, the Journal of Dentistry, or subfield-specific journals in periodontics, orthodontics, maxillofacial surgery, and more, write them off!
Schedule C, Box 26
Pay for the salaries of dental hygienists, receptionists, and other staff? That's a write-off.
Schedule C, Box 14
If you have employees, you'll spend money to take care of them with health insurance and other benefits. Write off what you pay for these programs.
Schedule C, Box 11
Write off the fees you pay to contract labor to help you complete projects.
Schedule C, Box 27a
Do you send your patients home with a free toothbrush and some floss? Not only do these goodies encourage good habits, they're also a write-off for you.
Schedule C, Box 27a
Do you entertain patients in your waiting room with magazines or a playlist? Write off what you pay for subscriptions to People, The New Yorker, and any music streaming services.
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If you use your car for work, like to pick up office supplies, you can write off a portion of your vehicle expenses.
The portion you can write off is equivalent to the percentage you use your car for work. For instance, if you use your car 90% of the time for personal reasons, you can only write off 10% of your car expenses.
Schedule C, Box 27a
Parking for a meeting downtown, or any other work trip, is tax-deductible!
Schedule C, Box 27a
A toll while driving to or from a work destination is tax-deductible!
Schedule C, Box 13
If you buy a new car, you can write off part of the cost every year for five years.
Schedule C, Box 22
Flashlights, tire iron, duct tape, and other tools you may need in your vehicle are deductible.
Schedule C, Box 15
Car insurance monthly fees, registration, even roadside assistance are partially deductible.
Schedule C, Box 9
Oil changes, repairs, and regular checkups are all tax-deductible if you drive for work.
The IRS gets it: not all business happens at the office. You might meet with fellow dentists and orthodontists to discuss a new tool that's just hit the market, or comparing marketing marketing strategies. You might also take your dental hygienists, office managers, and other staff out for a team-building lunch.
These are considered a business meal and can be written off.
Schedule C, Box 24b
If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it's a write-off!
Approach tax time armed to the teeth with write-offs you can claim on your Schedule C. For a dentist, this might include travel expenses, like the cost of transportation to an industry conference.
Schedule C, Box 24a
Planes, trains, and car rentals are all work-related travel costs that can be written off.
Schedule C, Box 24a
When you travel for work, lodging expenses such as hotel rooms or Airbnb are write offs.
Schedule C, Box 24a
When you're traveling for work, all meals are tax-deductible. Even takeout!
If you're searching through your expenses with a fine-tooth comb to find eligible write-offs, don't forget to include your home office expenses.
Claim these f you work from home on things like client development, industry research, and office admin.
Schedule C, Box 18
A desk, chairs, lamps, and other home office necessities are all tax write-offs.
Schedule C, Box 21
You can write off up to $2,500 for individual repairs to your property.
Form 8829
Gotta keep the lights on in your home office! A portion of your electricity bill counts.
Form 8829
Whether it's rental or homeowners insurance, you can write off a portion through your home office deduction.
Form 8829
It'd be hard to work in an office without running water, huh? You water bill counts.
Schedule C, Box 25
Your Comcast bill is a tax write-off. You need internet to do your job!
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