25 Tax Write-Offs for Freelance Community Managers

Icon check
Reviewed by
a tax professional

Online communities are tricky beasts, requiring careful oversight and a positive attitude. By comparison, savings money on your taxes is a breeze! Especially when you take all the write-offs you’re entitled to as a freelance community manager.

Simply by writing off the business expenses you encounter every day, you’ll be putting the ban on giving extra money to the IRS. And we’ve made things even easier by compiling a list of the best write-offs for community managers. It’s almost like having your savings go viral!

📝
Office supplies
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 18

Deduct anything you buy for your office, like pens, binders, folders, printer ink, or a whiteboard.

👨‍💻
Productivity software
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 18

Software you use for invoicing, tracking expenses, creating timesheets, and so on is deductible.

📆
Scheduling software
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 18

Software for scheduling or hosting meetings, like Zoom or Calendly, is tax-deductible.

🥨
Snacks & beverages
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 24b

Snacks and beverages you buy for a community event are tax-deductible.

🖍️
Design programs
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 18

Write off programs like Canva or Photoshop that you use to make graphics to promote events.

📱
Phone, laptop, accessories
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

If buy a phone or laptop and use it for work, it's partially deductible.

🌐
Website & hosting fees
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 8

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

📚
Books & courses
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

Keeping up with the latest trends and techniques with books and courses can be written off.

📱
Social media tools
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 18

Write off the tools you use to create assets, schedule posts, or pull analytics.

Estimate tax saving

Track and claim every eligible deduction with Keeper

Keeper is the top-rated all-in-one business expense tracker, tax filing service, and personal accountant.

If you drive for work ...

It's no surprise that being a community manager often means driving around your community, whether to meet with contractors or community members, or to pick up supplies for the office or upcoming events.

Luckily, a portion of your car expenses can be written off when you drive for work.

🅿️
Parking
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

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

🛣️
Tolls
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

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

🚘
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.

🧰
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.

☂️
Car insurance & registration
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 15

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

🔧
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 ...

As long as the conversation is work-related, you can deduct the cost of going for a meal or drink with mentors, supervisors, community members, or other community managers.

🍔
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 ...

While the cost of entry to conferences or workshops can be written off, you can also write off related travel expenses.

Go ahead and include these also if you need to travel out of town to attend industry conferences or workshops, or to meet with other community managers.

🛫
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.

🏨
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.

🥡
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 ...

Community managers often spend a lot of their time in meetings — and these days, those are often virtual.

If you work from home, whether your time is spent in meetings, planning events, researching vendors, or managing finances and paperwork, you can write off a portion of your home office expenses.

🛋️
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.

🛠️
Property repairs
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 21

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

🔌
Power bill
Write it off using:

Form 8829

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

🌪️
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.

🚰
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.

🌐
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!