22 Tax Write-Offs for Contract Firefighters
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.541990
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.As a contract firefighter, your job saves lives. Whether you respond seasonally to wildfires, or keep industrial environments safe for workers, your job is indispensable. So taking the tax write-offs you're entitled to is the least you deserve.
Simply by writing off the everyday sort of business purchases you encounter as a contract firefighter, you can save on your tax bill every single year. That's why we've put together all the best write-offs for firefighters.
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.
Repairs, dry cleaning , or alternations for your uniform are 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 belong to a union, go ahead and write off your dues . The share of your dues that goes toward lobbying isn't deductible — your organization can tell you what percentage that is.
Where a union spends part of your dues on lobbying, that portion is not deductible.
Deduct any equipment or tools, like axes, used to fight fires and save people.
Larger equipment purchases are depreciated on Box 13 rather than expensed as supplies.
Educational courses and certifications to enhance your skills are considered 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.
The gear you need to stay safe while fighting fires is a tax write-off.
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.
Testing your work requires you to pay for out of pocket is deductible.
If you drive for work ...
You don't need to drive for work on a daily basis to claim car-related tax deductions. If you drive to pick up gear or attend safety training, go ahead and write off the gas it took to get you there.
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 with other emergency personnel or fellow firefighters to network or swap tips is a practice you might want to incorporate into your business.
And luckily, the cost of doing so over lunch can be deducted from your taxes as a 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 ...
To qualify for business trip tax deductions, your trip must be primarily about business. For instance, if you go away for a week and have a one-hour meeting with a client, you can't deduct the whole week's worth of hotel costs.
But if you go to an out-of-town firefighter conference and book a two-night stay so you attend the full event, that does count.
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 ...
If you don't have access to another office space to work on things like industry research and online training, you might need to take care of those job responsibilities from home.
The good news is that allows you to claim the home office deduction!
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.
You may also enjoy learning about ...
What Education Expenses Are Tax-Deductible in 2026?
If you’re a freelancer, sole proprietor, or otherwise self-employed, then you probably have tax-deductible education expenses. Here's the low-down on what education expenses are tax-deductible for the 2025 tax year.
By Jesus Morales-Grace, EA
Ultimate Guide to Car Tax Deductions and Mileage
Receipts for Taxes: What Do You Need to Keep?
Use This Free Spreadsheet for Your Independent Contractor Expenses
The Last Schedule C Guide You'll Ever Need
How To File Your Self-Employment Taxes in 7 Easy Steps
Track and claim every eligible deduction with Keeper
Keeper scans your accounts for write-offs and files your return — with tax pros reviewing every one.
Try it free