24 Tax Write-Offs for Self-Employed Florists

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It's hard to stop and smell the roses when taxes are due — even for a florist.

Luckily, anyone with self-employment income can lower their taxable income with work expenses. Supplies aren't free, after all. Why should you pay taxes on income that went right back out the door?

This guide offers a roadmap for the types of work expenses can be written off on your taxes.

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Florist tools & supplies
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 38 (COGS)

From clippers to gardening gloves, floral tape to flower frogs, these tools of the trade are indispensable — which makes them a write-off.

📦
Packaging & shipping
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

Bubble mailers, boxes, tissue paper and more: anything you buy to ship customer orders is a write-off.

🛡️
Protective gear
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 22

Items used to protect you from harm while on the job can be written off.

📉
Equipment depreciation
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 13

The depreciation on your machinery and equipment is considered tax-deductible.

📦
Inventory & samples
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 36 (COGS)

If you have to keep inventory of products or samples, you can write these off.

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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.

💬
Advertising
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 8

Print and online advertising costs for your business are considered write-offs.

🎨
Creative assistance
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 11

If you need to hire an editor, designer, photographer, or other creative pro, write off what you pay them.

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If you drive for work ...

You might drive your car to deliver arrangements. Or maybe it takes you back and forth from suppliers and vendors. Either way, you can write off part of what you spend on vehicle expenses, from gas to insurance.

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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!

🛣️
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 ...

Are you grabbing a meal with a customer or a supplier? That makes it a business expense.

The IRS lets you write off 50% of what you spend on business meals. So go ahead — schedule that meeting with the wedding planner over lunch.

🍔
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 ...

From Floriexpo to the Society of American Florists Annual Convention, you've got plenty of ready to travel out of town. As long as you're heading out for work-related reasons, the IRS has no problem with you writing off your airfare and accommodations.

Industry conference aren't the only business trip-worthy events. If you meet with an out-of-town supplier or client, that also qualifies.

🛫
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.

🥡
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 ...

Do you prepare floral arrangements, store your product, or maintain your professional social media from home? That qualifies you deduct part of your rent, utilities, and other home 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!