23 Tax Write-Offs for Self-Employed Janitors & Custodians
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.561720
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.If you're a self-employed janitor or custodian, you know the value of cleanliness. But do you take the same level of care to polish up your tax bill? You may think it’s a dirty job, but it actually takes no elbow grease at all!
From cleaning supplies to dry cleaning bills for your uniforms, you can write off all the ordinary business expenses you encounter as an independent janitor. This also goes if you take on janitorial jobs through a platform like Taskrabbit or Wonolo. It’s as easy as taking out the trash.
Write off everything you use to clean, including sprays, rags, soap, and more.
Cleaning equipment like vacuums, carpet cleaners, and steamers can be written off.
Any uniforms you're required to wear on the job are considered tax-deductible.
If you need to get your uniform professionally dry cleaned, you can write it off.
Any maintenance or repairs needed for your equipment to operate are fully deductible.
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 a car for work (even for small errands such as picking up cleaning supplies), you can write off a portion 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 ...
You can write off a portion of the cost on your taxes if you meet with a potential client at a restaurant to chat about your services, or with a fellow custodian to refer them to a job platform or share marketing insights.
If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it's a write-off!
If you leave town for work ...
If a job takes you out of town overnight, or you head to another city for a cleaning-industry trade show, you can write off your travel costs.
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 ...
If you do at least some of your janitorial work from a dedicated workstation at home, like conducting industry research or managing finances and paperwork, remember that a portion of your home office expenses will be deductible.
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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