27 Tax Write-Offs for Beekeepers
NAICS business codeYour NAICS business code is a six-digit string of numbers that shows the type of work your business does. NAICS stands for North American Industry Classification System. When you do your taxes, you'll enter it in Box B of your Schedule C.112900
Reviewed bya tax professionalThis content has been reviewed by an Enrolled Agent (EA) with the IRS — the highest credential awarded by the agency. Enrolled Agents are empowered to represent all taxpayers before the IRS, on all types of tax-related matters. Accountants who earn this certification have passed a comprehensive three-part exam on individual and business tax returns. To maintain EA status, they must stay up to date in the field by completing 72 hours of continuing education every three years.Beekeeping is a delicate balance: keeping the temperature just right, making sure the hive is free of disease and parasites, protecting their valuable honey from sneaky bears and other predators. It’s understandable why you might not want to even think about taxes after that, but it’s a sad reality for us worker drones.
Fortunately, there’s an easy way to sweeten your tax bill! By claiming the ordinary expenses you run into all the time as you repair hives, replace your smoker, or buy new ice packs for your stings, you can significantly lower what you owe on your taxes. Now that’s something to buzz about!
Any supplies needed to keep your colonies alive and flourishing are write-offs.
Each year you can deduct the depreciation on the big-ticket equipment you bought for work.
Any maintenance or repairs needed for your equipment to operate are fully deductible.
Bubble mailers, boxes, tissue paper and more: anything you buy to ship customer orders is a write-off.
Equipment like extractors to get honey or beeswax are fully deductible.
Bottles, jars, and other containers you use to package your product can be deducted from your taxes.
Classes you take to enhance your skills after getting your license are tax write-offs.
Protective gear to wear when handling the bees is a tax write-off.
Purchasing bee colonies to grow your business can be written off.
The plants you buy for bees to pollinate can be written off.
Treats to reward animals for good behavior, or to play with them, are tax-deductible.
If you drive for work ...
Beekeeping is busy work. If your work finds you driving to relocate hives or pick up supplies, remember that car-related expenses can be written off your taxes.
Parking for a meeting downtown, or any other work trip, is tax-deductible!
A toll while driving to or from a work destination is tax-deductible!
If you buy a new car, you can write off part of the cost every year for five years.
Flashlights, tire iron, duct tape, and other tools you may need in your vehicle are deductible.
Car insurance monthly fees, registration, even roadside assistance are partially deductible.
Oil changes, repairs, and regular checkups are all tax-deductible if you drive for work.
If you discuss work at a restaurant ...
As long as the conversation centers around work, the IRS lets you write off the cost of grabbing food or drinks with potential partners or fellow beekeepers.
If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it's a write-off!
If you leave town for work ...
If work-related events take you out of town, like a beehive relocation or an industry conference, you can deduct your travel expenses from your taxes.
Planes, trains, and car rentals are all work-related travel costs that can be written off.
When you travel for work, lodging expenses such as hotel rooms or Airbnb are write-offs.
When you're traveling for work, all meals are tax-deductible. Even takeout!
If you work from home ...
There are a (honey)bunch of work responsibilities a beekeeper might take care of remotely: setting up beehive storage, conducting industry research, or managing finances and paperwork. Don't forget to write off your home office expenses!
A desk, chairs, lamps, and other home office necessities are all tax write-offs.
You can write off up to $2,500 for individual repairs to your property.
Gotta keep the lights on in your home office! A portion of your electricity bill counts.
Whether it's rental or homeowners insurance, you can write off a portion through your home office deduction.
It'd be hard to work in an office without running water, huh? Your water bill counts.
Your Comcast bill is a tax write-off. You need internet to do your job!
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