24 Tax Write-Offs for Massage Therapists
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.621399
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.As a massage therapist, your day is focused on physical and mental health — but what about your financial health? A well-maintained wallet is an important part of self-care, and one of the easiest ways you can practice that is by reducing your tax bill.
Independent massage therapists can write off any ordinary business expense from their taxes, and we’ve made things even easier by putting all the best tax write-offs for massage therapists in one place. So light some incense and prepare to be soothed, because these savings will relax even the tensest muscles.
Massage tables, chairs, and linens are write-offs for you.
Oils, lotions, stones, and other accessories used to give massages are deductible.
Any required certifications or licensing fees can be deducted.
If you rent an office, studio, or room at a spa, that's a tax write-off.
Membership dues to the American Massage Therapy Association and similar orgs can be deducted.
Part of your actual phone's cost, monthly phone bill, and any accessories you use for work can be written off.
Legal fees paid to set up your business or draw up paperwork are deductible.
Spotify, Pandora, or other music streaming services you use while with clients are write-offs.
If you drive for work ...
If your business model includes making house calls, you likely spend a fair amount of time driving for work. Remember to write off your car-related expenses on your Schedule C!
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 ...
If you head to a restaurant to chat about new findings in the massage therapy world with clients, coaches, or fellow massage therapists, it counts as a business expense.
If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it's a write-off!
If you leave town for work ...
When you take the train to another town to meet with a massage client or fly to an out-of-state industry conference or seminar, remember to write off your travel-related 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, all meals are tax-deductible. Even takeout!
If you work from home ...
If you offer massage therapy from your home, you can of course deduct home office expenses on your taxes.
This also counts if you take care of administrative and business development work from home, such as booking appointments, marketing, and client development.
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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