27 Tax Write-Offs for Freelance Web Developers
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.541510
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.Coding jargon and different types of programming languages can sound like gibberish to people who aren't developers.
To software developers — and all freelancers, for that matter — the same can be said about IRS rules. The UX you encounter when learning to file your 1099 taxes isn't... always optimal.
Our goal here at Keeper is to make the process easier. Which is why we've compiled this list of write-offs that devs can turn to at tax time. Remember to claim the deductions that apply to you on your Schedule C for significant tax savings!
Any tools you use to develop software for your clients is considered a write-off.
An additional monitor, keyboard, or other accessories you use to code are write-offs.
Educational books to increase your knowledge and skills are tax write-offs.
Educational courses and certifications to enhance your skills are considered tax write-offs.
If you pay for cloud data storage to store files for work, it's a write-off.
Squarespace, Wix, GoDaddy, and other website service fees are fully tax-deductible.
Deduct anything you buy for your office, like pens, binders, folders, printer ink, or a whiteboard.
If you buy a phone or laptop and use it for work, it's partially deductible.
Courses, conferences, workshops, and premium listservs: write off anything you pay for to enhance your skills or further your career.
Print and online advertising costs for your business are considered write-offs.
Write off the fees you pay to contract labor to help you complete projects.
If you drive for work ...
If you use a car for both work and personal purposes, you can write off costs related to the percentage of time you use it for work.
For example, if you spend 5% of your time on the road driving to meet clients, you can write off 5% of your car expenses.
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 ...
Clients, hired contractors, UX/UI designers, or fellow developers are all people you might visit a restaurant with to talk about work.
In cases like these, you can write off what you pay for the meal.
If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it's a write-off!
If you leave town for work ...
Don't forget to include travel expenses in your write-offs if you head out of town for work-related purposes like a meeting with a client or a software development conference.
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 ...
Writing code, creating tech designs, reading up on new technologies, and working on marketing your services are all things you might do from an at-home workspace. They also allow you to write off expenses associated with working from home, like a portion of your internet bill or property insurance.
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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Your Guide to Computer Tax Write-Offs
For freelancers and self-employed people, the computers you use for work are tax-deductible. You can write off the full cost, or depreciate it.
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