22 Tax Write-Offs for Self-Employed Loan Officers
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.522300
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 loan officer, you’re used to assessing other people’s finances. But have you ever audited your own?
If not, you could be missing out on significant savings — and one easy way to sneak some in, is by writing off your business expenses on your taxes! With write-offs, every ordinary business purchase you make for your career can actually save you money in the long run.
It’s like granting a loan to your future self. And we’ve assessed that your life would be even easier if we compiled all the best write-offs for loan officers in one place. Now that’s something to give your stamp of approval!
Deduct anything you buy for your office, like pens, binders, folders, printer ink, or a whiteboard.
Squarespace, Wix, GoDaddy, and other website service fees are fully tax-deductible.
Print and online advertising costs for your business are considered write-offs.
Software for scheduling or hosting meetings, like Zoom or Calendly, is tax-deductible.
Coaching, seminars, or workshops used to maintain your work-related skills can be written off.
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.
Any required certifications or licensing fees can be deducted.
Errors and omissions coverage protects you when a client claims your advice or work caused them a loss — the premiums are deductible.
The cut Stripe, PayPal, Square or your invoicing platform takes on each payment is a write-off.
Fees for required background checks to do your job are deductible.
If you drive for work ...
While virtual meetings are more and more commonplace these days, as a loan officer, you likely still drive to lots of in-person client meetings or networking events.
Luckily, you can deduct a portion of your car expenses as they relate to work.
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 ...
Remember that meal you grabbed with a potential client or the coffee shop you visited with a fellow loan officer who had a referral for you? Those count as business expenses and can be deducted from your taxes.
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 ...
If you take the train to meet a client in another city or fly to a different state for a seminar, go ahead and write off your business-related travel expenses.
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 ...
Attending virtual meetings, conducting industry research, working on client development, and managing finances are just a few of the tasks a freelance loan officer might do from home.
If you have a designated at-home workspace, go ahead and write off your home office deductions.
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 ...
Is Your Coffee a Tax Write-Off?
Coffee is subject to the same rules that regulate meal expenses. It’s generally only deductible if it’s an ordinary and necessary expense, or if it benefits your staff or clients.
By Keeper Staff
What Education Expenses Are Tax-Deductible in 2026?
The Home Office Deduction Audit Risk Myth
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