26 Tax Write-Offs for Interior Designers
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.541400
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. Let’s face it, you probably got into interior design to express yourself, not worry about your taxes. But did you know you can save significantly at tax time if you arrange your write-offs correctly?
It’s true! As an interior designer, you can write off any ordinary business expense from your taxes. Whether it’s design software or swatch samples, these everyday purchases you make to help your clients’ homes look beautiful can also make your wallet shine. Now that’s good feng shui!
Write off fees for software used to design interiors for clients, like Infurnia and Autodesk.
Reference books you use for research or to hone your industry knowledge are write-offs.
Any subscriptions to trade journals related to your industry are considered tax write-offs.
Software you use for invoicing, tracking expenses, creating timesheets, and so on is deductible.
Deduct anything you buy for your office, like pens, binders, folders, printer ink, or a whiteboard.
If you have to keep inventory of products or samples, you can write these off.
Freelancers, contractors, or other services that help you run your business are tax-deductible.
If you need to hire an editor, designer, photographer, or other creative pro, write off what you pay them.
Squarespace, Wix, GoDaddy, and other website service fees are fully tax-deductible.
Print and online advertising costs for your business are considered write-offs.
If you drive for work ...
If you drive for work, like to scope out furniture or art pieces or to visit worksites, you can claim car-related tax write-offs.
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 ...
Self-employed interior designers can partially claim food or drink expenses if it's to talk about business with a client, supplier, mentor, or fellow designer.
If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it's a write-off!
If you leave town for work ...
On a business trip, such as meeting with an out-of-town client or attending an interior design conference, you can deduct the cost of travel to your destination, as well as lodging and meals.
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 ...
Whether you work from home out of necessity or by design — on things like client development, industry research, design briefs, or virtual meetings — you can deduct home office expenses from your taxes.
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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By Sarah York, EA
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