26 Tax-Write-Offs for Freelance Marketers

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As a freelance marketer, you’re used to putting a positive spin on things. But here’s something you don’t need to exaggerate: simply by claiming the everyday sort of business expenses you encounter as a marketer, you’ll be able to significantly lower your bill come tax time!

From productivity software to office supplies and more, marketers can claim a wide range of business expenses. That's true whether you drive value as a social media strategist, an SEO consultant, a growth marketer, or some other way.

Check out this list of the best write-offs for marketers, all in one place. Now that’s something worth hyping up!

🌐
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.

😎
Personal marketing materials
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 8

Business cards, postcards, and other materials used to promote yourself are deductible.

📚
Educational books
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

Educational books to increase your knowledge and skills are tax write-offs.

🎟️
Networking events
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

Tickets and entry fees to networking events to grow your client base can be written off.

📱
Phone, laptop, accessories
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

If buy a phone or laptop and use it for work, it's partially deductible.

🖥️
Tech accessories
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 18

An additional monitor, keyboard, or other accessories you use to code are write-offs.

📊
Analytics tools
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 18

You can write off software and tools used for analyzing your competitors and campaigns.

📱
Social media tools
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 18

Write off the tools you use to create assets, schedule posts, or pull analytics.

🛠️
Contract labor
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 11

Write off the fees you pay to contract labor to help you complete projects.

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If you drive for work ...

If you have to drive for work — whether to pick up office supplies or to attend a seminar, networking event, or client meeting — lower your taxable income by writing off car-related expenses.

🅿️
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 ...

Pitching your marketing services to clients doesn't just happen in the office. You may want to take a potential lead out for dinner to tell them how you can help grow their brand.

Because this is work-related, it counts as a business meal and can be written off your taxes. So would learning from a mentor over coffee, or getting together with a potential collaborator at your favorite lunch-time joint.

🍔
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 ...

Perhaps you already know you can write off the cost of a ticket to a marketing conference or networking event.

But don't forget the cost of traveling for out-of-town business trips is also deductible!

🛫
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.

🏨
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 ...

Completing marketing projects for clients, researching new PR trends, or coming up with your own advertising assets are all tasks a marketer might do at a designated workspace in their home.

In this case, you can write off a portion of your home office 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!