10 AI Tools Online Sellers Can Write Off in 2026

Can online sellers deduct AI tools?

Yes! If you pay for AI software to help run or grow an online selling business, it can count as a write-off. The IRS small-business tax guide says a business expense must be ordinary and necessary for your work.

That applies whether you sell through a Shopify storefront or a marketplace such as Etsy, eBay, or TikTok Shop. To claim it, make sure these two things are true:

• A business: You run the store to make a profit. Casual sales from cleaning out your closet may be a hobby rather than a business.

• Business use: The tool helps with work such as researching products, building listings, editing product images, marketing your store, or supporting customers.

You do not need an LLC to claim business expenses. Keeper’s online seller write-off guide covers the rest of the costs that can come with running a store.

10 AI tools online sellers can write off

Store planning and platform AI

1. ChatGPT can help research a market, compare products, draft listings, and turn store data into a working plan. If you use ChatGPT to help you with any business tasks, it counts as a write-off. If you use the same subscription for both personal and business chats, deduct the business-use portion.

2. Shopify Sidekick and Shopify Magic can generate product descriptions and images, answer questions about store data, and complete tasks in the Shopify admin. If you pay for Shopify, your subscription counts as a write-off.

3. eBay’s AI listing tools can draft product descriptions and reduce repetitive listing work. If you pay eBay seller fees or for a Store subscription, deduct the business costs you actually paid—not a separate amount for an included AI feature.

Listings and marketplace research

4. Vela bulk-edits and manages listings across Etsy, Shopify, eBay, and other marketplaces, with AI tools that can refine titles, descriptions, tags, and SEO metadata. If you use Vela to manage your online store, it counts as a write-off.

5. eRank gives Etsy sellers keyword and trend data, listing audits, and AI-assisted title, description, and tag ideas. If you use eRank to do research for your business, it counts as a write-off.

Product design, photos, and video

6. Canva can generate and edit product images, resize store graphics, remove backgrounds, and create marketing assets. If you use Canva Pro to create or edit images for your store, it counts as a write-off.

7. Kittl uses AI to generate and edit designs, create product mockups, and prepare graphics for print-on-demand products. If you use Kittl to create products or listing images for your store, it counts as a write-off.

8. Photoroom uses AI to create product photography, remove backgrounds, and generate image variations. If you use Photoroom for listing images or ads, it counts as a write-off.

9. CapCut Pro uses AI to generate scripts, captions, voiceovers, and short product videos for social media. If you use CapCut Pro to edit store ads, it counts as a write-off.

Marketing and retention

10. Omnisend automates email and SMS campaigns, with AI features for copy and personalization. If you use Omnisend for email marketing, it counts as a write-off.

Deduct what you paid—not free or bundled AI features

You can only deduct platforms or subscription fees you actually paid. If a platform includes an AI feature for free, you cannot claim a second deduction for the feature. Deduct the business-use share of the platform fee instead.

Software vs inventory

Products you buy to resell usually belong in inventory and cost of goods sold. An AI subscription used to research, list, or market those products is a software expense instead. It does not become inventory just because it helps you sell inventory.

Most recurring AI subscriptions and usage charges can go in Part V of Schedule C under “Other Expenses.” A label such as “AI and ecommerce software” makes the total easy to trace. If you use a tool only to create or run ads, advertising is another reasonable category. Pick one and use it consistently.

Split subscriptions across stores and personal use

Amount paid × business-use percentage = potential deduction

Say you pay $40 per month for a design tool and use it 75% for product photos and 25% for personal projects. Your potential business deduction is $30 per month.

If the same plan supports two stores, divide the business share again using a reasonable method such as projects, exports, orders, or time. Keeper supports multiple businesses and lets you split an expense between them, making it easier to keep each business’s share organized in the right place.

Keep a record of each expense

The IRS recordkeeping guide recommends keeping records that support the amount, date, and vendor of each expense.

• Save the invoice: Keep the vendor, date, subscription or usage charge, and amount.

• Match the payment: Keep the card or bank transaction, especially when the billing name differs from the product name.

• Show your split: Write down how you divided business and personal use or allocated one plan across stores.

• Subtract refunds: Track refunds and promotional credits. You can only deduct what you paid.

You can do all this yourself, or let Keeper do the work for you. Keeper automatically tracks transactions, categorizes each expense, and keeps the records connected to your business.