26 Tax Write-Offs for Freelance Photographers

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Photographers are used to seeing beauty in even the ugliest circumstances. But even we’ll admit, it can be hard to see the beauty in a tax return. Let’s turn that negative into a lushly colored print: There’s one simple trick that all freelance photographers can use, and it doesn’t require any time to develop.

Simply by using the everyday expenses you rack up for your business — from filming equipment to travel expenses getting to a location for a shoot and more — you can lower the exposure of your tax bill. Soon your savings will be as pretty as a picture!

📷
Camera & equipment
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 22

Your camera, tripods, lenses, and other equipment are all tax-deductible.

💻
Photo editing software
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 18

Subscriptions and licenses for Photoshop, Lightroom, and other software can be deducted.

🔑
Photo studio
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 20b

A studio or office space you rent to host photoshoots, develop film, or do other work is tax-deductible.

📓
Photography classes
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

Courses you take to refine your skills or learn new techniques can be written off.

🎭
Photoshoot props
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 22

Props you buy for photoshoots with clients are considered write-offs.

🎨
Creative assistance
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 11

If you need to hire an editor, designer, photographer, or other creative pro, write off what you pay them.

🌐
Website & hosting fees
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 8

Squarespace, Wix, GoDaddy, and other website service fees are fully tax-deductible.

📣
Online advertising
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 8

Ad campaigns on Google, Meta, TikTok, and more are all deductible on your taxes.

☁️
Photo storage
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 18

Need somewhere to store photos and client docs? Write off your Dropbox account or external hard drive.

🗃️
Business cards
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 8

Business cards with your contact information count as advertising expenses.

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If you drive for work ...

If you drive for work, like to meet with a client, drop off film, or head to a photo shoot, bring tax savings into focus by remembering to deduct car 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 ...

If you meet with a model, agent, client, or fellow photographer at a restaurant to chat about an upcoming shoot or other work-related topics, you can write off the cost of your food or drinks.

🍔
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 ...

If you get hired for a photoshoot in another city but are responsible for covering some of your own expenses, like transportation, hotel, or food, remember that you can deduct travel costs from your taxes.

🛫
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 ...

A photograph is worth a thousand words — and your home office expenses might be worth a good amount in tax savings too! After all, you won't always be shooting on location. And the amount of time you spend editing photos, marketing your services, communicating with clients, and doing industry research from home certainly counts as work.

🛋️
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!