29 Tax Write-Offs for Freelance Chefs
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.812990
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.They say variety is the spice of life, but what truly adds that extra kick of flavor is when you find easy ways to save money on your taxes. Too often, chefs neglect to trim the fat off their tax bill, but you don’t have to make this mistake! With our list of the best write-offs for chefs, you’ll be cooking up a reduction that will make anyone’s mouth water. Now we’re cooking with gas!
Write off the protective gear, like goggles and gloves, you wear on the job.
Any uniforms you're required to wear on the job are considered tax-deductible.
If you need to get your uniform professionally dry cleaned, you can write it off.
Any food or ingredients you use to cook meals for clients are write-offs.
You can write off pots, pans, spatulas, mixing bowls, and everything else you use to cook food.
Continuing education classes required to keep your job are fully deductible.
Print and online advertising costs for your business are considered write-offs.
Squarespace, Wix, GoDaddy, and other website service fees are fully tax-deductible.
If you need to hire an editor, designer, photographer, or other creative pro, write off what you pay them.
If you print catering menus or labels for dishes for an event, write off what it costs you.
If you're required to wear specific non-slip shoes, for example, you can write them off.
Chef uniforms or branded clothing you need to wear on the job can be deducted.
Subscriptions to cooking magazines like Bon Appetit or Saveur are write-offs.
If you drive for work ...
If you drive a car to source ingredients, scout a venue, or get to an event you're catering, you can write off a portion of your car expenses.
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 a chef, you might take clients, cookbook publishers, and editors out for a meal to get a sense of their tastes. Or you might meet with restaurant staff, fellow chefs, or a mentor to talk business.
Both cases are considered business meals and can be written off.
If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it's a write-off!
If you leave town for work ...
If you attend an out-of-town conference or client meeting, go ahead and claim your travel costs on your taxes. (Don't worry — it doesn't count as cooking the books!)
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 ...
A chef's work is not restricted to just the kitchen. You might spend time at home:
Practicing or developing recipes
Refining cooking skills
Working on client development
Doing industry research
If this applies to you, remember 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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