23 Tax Write-Offs for Professional Painters

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As a commercial painter, the quality of your work speaks for itself. But do you put the same attention to detail to your taxes? Too often, painters neglect to take all the write-offs that their business is entitled to, gumming up their savings and drying out future opportunities.

That’s why Keeper has compiled a list of the best write-offs for commercial painters, so that your return can gleam as bright as vibrantly as the houses you spruce up. Simply mix up the right write-offs for your business, and you’re good to go!

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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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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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Uniforms
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

Any uniforms you're required to wear on the job are considered tax-deductible.

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Uniform dry cleaning
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

If you need to get your uniform professionally dry cleaned, you can write it off.

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Paint supplies
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 22

Paint, brushes, tarps, cloths, and any other supplies you need to paint are all write-offs.

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Contract labor
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 11

Write off the fees you pay to contract labor to help you complete projects.

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If you drive for work ...

Driving around the city, whether to a job location, to pick up paint supplies, or to meet with a client, might not exactly qualify as painting the town red.But the good news is that you can write off a portion of your car expenses, relevant to the amount you use it for work.

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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 ...

Grabbing dinner with a friend to decompress after a shift doesn't count as a business meal.

However, meeting a contractor, accountant, vendor, client, or fellow painter to talk about work does count — and the cost is considered a write-off.

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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 ...

Networking is a big part of how freelancers line up their work.

So if you head out of town to attend an industry conference or meet with an out-of-town client, keep in mind that you can deduct your travel expenses from your taxes.

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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 ...

If you manage finances and paperwork, client development, or industry research from home, go ahead and write off a portion of your 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!