21 Tax Write-Offs for Contract EMTs
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.621900
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.Let’s be real, while your work as an emergency medical technician is rewarding, being on call and dealing with high-stress situations all day is exhausting. We wouldn’t blame you if the last thing you want to think about when you come home is your taxes.
But did you know that, as a contract EMT, you’re entitled to an easy way to save money on your taxes?
Simply write off the business expenses you encounter on the job every day, and watch your tax bill drop.
Medical supplies, like stethoscopes, PPE, and more, can be written off.
Hand sanitizer and face masks you use at work can be written off.
Any uniforms you're required to wear on the job are considered tax-deductible.
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.
If you need to get your uniform professionally dry cleaned , you can write it off.
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.
Fees to renew your license to perform your work are fully deductible.
Insurance premiums to protect you from malpractice suits can be written off.
Classes you take to enhance your skills after getting your license are tax write-offs.
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.
Fees for required background checks to do your job are deductible.
Blood pressure cuffs, trauma shears and jump kits are depreciated over time. Disposable PPE stays on Box 22 as supplies.
If you drive for work ...
Whether you use your car for work on a daily basis or just every so often, like to drive to medical offices, you can write off a portion of the money you spend on your car, like maintenance or repairs.
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 ...
Continued learning is a big contributor to success no matter what industry you're in.
This might include meeting fellow EMTs, medical professionals, or first responders at a restaurant to chat about your work experiences and learnings.
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 ...
The money you spend on work-related travel, like to an industry conference, is a business expense that can be written off 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, 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 ...
Doing industry research or managing finances and paperwork are responsibilities an emergency medical technician might take care of at home. It also allows you to write off some of your home office expenses.
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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