26 Tax Write-Offs for Self-Employed Coaches
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 bySabrina Wiechart, CPASabrina is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with over 15 years of experience in tax preparation, planning, and S-Corp compliance. She holds a Master’s in Accounting and specializes in helping self-employed individuals make smart tax decisions. Sabrina is passionate about simplifying the S-Corp process and making sure every client keeps more of what they earn.Time out! We know that as a coach, you’ve got a lot of athletes to think about — but don’t forget to take care of yourself, too. One big way you can do that is by saving extra money on your taxes.
That’s right: if you work as an independent contractor, you can lower your tax bill simply by doing the job you love. By claiming these write-offs the next time you file, you’ll be saving time and money that you can then invest in your charges. (Or take a nice vacation during off-season — we won’t tell!) Now that’s a smart play!
You can write off balls, nets, shoes, and more, as long as you use them for work.
Playbooks, whistles, and anything else you use while coaching can be deducted.
This includes uniforms or any branded items you must wear while working.
This applies to clothing you can't reasonably wear outside of work. Everyday clothes don't qualify, even if you only wear them on the job.
Sports magazines, newsletters, and channels you subscribe to can be deducted.
Only what you genuinely use for work counts. A subscription you'd keep anyway as a fan doesn't qualify just because it overlaps with the job.
Continuing education classes required to keep your job are fully deductible.
This covers training that maintains or improves skills for the work you already do. Courses that qualify you for a new trade or profession are not deductible.
Water bottles, towels, and items you need after practice can be written off.
Snacks and refreshments you bring for players during games and practices can be written off.
If you buy prizes for people who win games, you can write them off.
Gym time, field or court rental for lessons, camps and clinics is deductible as rent.
Protecting yourself and your business with liability insurance? It's a write-off.
Any required certifications or licensing fees can be deducted.
Fees for required background checks to do your job are deductible.
Write off the fees you pay to contract labor to help you complete projects.
Pay any one contractor $600 or more in a year and you'll need to file a Form 1099-NEC for them.
If you drive for work ...
Your coaching work may land you on the road frequently: meeting with athletes and other coaches, picking up sports equipment, or driving to games and practices.
A portion of the money you spend on your car, such as paying for gas or repairs, 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 — if you use the actual expense method. The standard mileage rate already covers them.
Oil changes, repairs, and regular checkups are deductible if you use the actual expense method. Take the standard mileage rate instead and they're already baked into your per-mile deduction.
If you discuss work at a restaurant ...
Meeting talent scouts, athletes, or fellow coaches for a work chat over food or drinks? Go ahead and write off the cost of your business meal.
If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it's a write-off — 50% of the tab.
If you leave town for work ...
Games and matches will often bring coaches to the towns of opposing teams. Any related travel expenses, such as breakfast the morning before a big game or the cost of a hotel, can be written off. This also includes travel to things like industry conferences or workshops.
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, your meals are 50% deductible — takeout included. (Long-haul truck drivers subject to DOT hours-of-service rules can deduct 80%.)
If you work from home ...
Many people get into coaching because they love being on the field or court. But a lot goes into a successful coaching business off the field, too. Many coaches work on things like industry research, finance and paperwork management, or continuing education courses from home. In this case, a portion of home office expenses can be claimed on your taxes.
A desk, chairs, lamps, and other home office necessities are all tax write-offs. Anything over about $2,500 gets depreciated on Form 4562 instead of written off all at once.
Repairs just for your home office are 100% deductible. Repairs to the rest of your home count too, prorated by your business-use percentage on Form 8829.
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.
You need internet to do your job! If you claim a home office, deduct it prorated on Form 8829 along with your other utilities. Internet you pay for on the road, purely for work, is 100% deductible.
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