23 Tax Write-Offs for Professional Painters
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.238320
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.As a commercial painter, the quality of your work speaks for itself. But do you pay the same attention to detail when filing 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 vibrant as the houses you spruce up. Simply mix up the right write-offs for your business, and you’re good to go!
Squarespace, Wix, GoDaddy, and other website service fees are fully tax-deductible.
Print and online advertising costs for your business are considered write-offs.
Business cards, brochures, service menus, and flyers promoting your business are deductible.
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.
Paint, brushes, tarps, cloths, and any other supplies you need to paint are all write-offs.
Write off the fees you pay to contract labor to help you complete projects.
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.
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 ...
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.
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.
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 ...
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.
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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