22 Tax Write-Offs for Independent Cleaners and Housekeepers

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As a housekeeper, you’re used to keeping things spick and span — but do you apply that same attention to detail to your taxes? What if we told you that you can lower your tax bill just by claiming the everyday sort of business expenses you already pay for?

That’s right: with just the tiniest bit of elbow grease, you can write off everything from cleaning products to new business cards and beyond. Time to make your tax return sparkle!

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Cleaning supplies
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 22

Write off everything you use to clean, including sprays, rags, soap, and more.

Cleaning equipment
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 22

Cleaning equipment like vacuums, carpet cleaners, and steamers can be written off.

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Marketing materials
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 8

Business cards, brochures, service menus, and flyers promoting your business are deductible.

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Website & hosting fees
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 8

Squarespace, Wix, GoDaddy, and other website service fees are fully tax-deductible.

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Advertising
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 8

Print and online advertising costs for your business are considered write-offs.

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Phone & accessories
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

Part of your actual phone's cost, monthly phone bill, and any accessories you use for work can be written off.

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If you drive for work ...

You can write off car expenses if you need to drive for work. For instance, a cleaner or housekeeper might need to drive to and from clients' homes or to pick up cleaning supplies.

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Parking
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

Parking for a meeting downtown, or any other work trip, is tax-deductible!

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Tolls
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

A toll while driving to or from a work destination is tax-deductible!

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Car purchase & depreciation
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 13

If you buy a new car, you can write off part of the cost every year for five years.

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Vehicle tool kit
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 22

Flashlights, tire iron, duct tape, and other tools you may need in your vehicle are deductible.

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Car insurance & registration
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 15

Car insurance monthly fees, registration, even roadside assistance are partially deductible.

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Car maintenance
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 9

Oil changes, repairs, and regular checkups are all tax-deductible if you drive for work.

If you discuss work at a restaurant ...

If you visit a restaurant to talk about your business or to establish a relationship with a potential client, it's considered a business meal and can be claimed on your taxes. This also includes grabbing food or drink with accountants, vendors, mentors, and fellow cleaners or housekeepers.

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Business meals
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 24b

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 book transportation or accommodations to attend a work-related event such as an industry conference, feel free to write off your travel expenses.

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Transportation
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 24a

Planes, trains, and car rentals are all work-related travel costs that can be written off.

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Travel lodging
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 24a

When you travel for work, lodging expenses such as hotel rooms or Airbnb are write offs.

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Meals while traveling
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 24a

When you're traveling for work, all meals are tax-deductible. Even takeout!

If you work from home ...

Scheduling appointments, working on attention-grabbing ways to market your services, and working on client development are all tasks a cleaner or housekeeper might do from home. Because these are all essential to your business and you work on them from home, you can write off a portion of home office expenses.

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Home office furniture
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 18

A desk, chairs, lamps, and other home office necessities are all tax write-offs.

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Property repairs
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 21

You can write off up to $2,500 for individual repairs to your property.

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Power bill
Write it off using:

Form 8829

Gotta keep the lights on in your home office! A portion of your electricity bill counts.

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Property insurance
Write it off using:

Form 8829

Whether it's rental or homeowners insurance, you can write off a portion through your home office deduction.

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Water bill
Write it off using:

Form 8829

It'd be hard to work in an office without running water, huh? You water bill counts.

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Wi-Fi bill
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 25

Your Comcast bill is a tax write-off. You need internet to do your job!