31 Tax Write-Offs for Real Estate Agents

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You've likely heard the saying: "You need to spend money to make money." This tends to especially apply to real estate agents, who often need to invest a fair chunk of money into their business upfront to attract clients. For instance, paying for social media ads to promote your services, offering bonuses to prospective clients like complimentary home staging, or paying for leads from sites like Zillow.

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The good news is, these expenses can be written off on your taxes because they're necessary to your business. And they're not the only ones! Keep scrolling for our list of common write-offs for real estate agents.

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Realtor dues & subscriptions
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

Any dues, fees, or subscriptions for a realtor's association or the MLS can be deducted.

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Property promotion
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 8

Marketing materials like postcards, property signs, and even ads can be written off.

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Seminars & workshops
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

Coaching, seminars, or workshops used to maintain your work-related skills can be written off.

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Website & hosting fees
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 8

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

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Legal fees
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 17

Legal fees paid to set up your business or draw up paperwork are deductible.

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Licenses and fees
Write it off using:

Your state license renewal, MLS dues, and professional memberships are deductible.

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Commissions paid
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 10

Commissions you pay to employees or other agents are fully deductible business expenses.

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Desk fees
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 10

The fee you pay to rent a desk at your broker's office or a coworking space is tax deductible.

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E&O insurance
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 15

Errors and Omissions insurance is required for all real estate agents and is deductible.

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Lead generation software
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 18

Software for CRM, lead generation, or email marketing is a write-off.

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Business cards
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 8

Business cards with your contact information count as advertising expenses.

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Office supplies
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 18

Deduct anything you buy for your office, like pens, binders, folders, printer ink, or a whiteboard.

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Phone bill
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

If you use your phone for work (who doesn't?), then a part of your phone bill is tax-deductible.

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Advertising
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 8

Print and online advertising costs for your business are considered write-offs.

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Creative assistance
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 11

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

If you drive for work ...

Real estate agents spend a lot of their time zipping around town β€” to meet clients, drop by showings or open houses, or set up "for sale" signs. Luckily, you can write off car-related expenses like maintenance and gas.

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Parking
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

Parking for a meeting downtown, or any other work trip, is tax-deductible!

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Tolls
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

A toll while driving to or from a work destination is tax-deductible!

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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.

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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.

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Car insurance & registration
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 15

Car insurance monthly fees, registration, even roadside assistance are partially deductible.

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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 ...

Networking is a core practice of a successful real estate agent.You likely often meet clients or fellow agents at restaurants to chat about current or upcoming listings. When you do, remember to write off your business meal expenses.

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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 ...

Meeting an out-of-town client or attending a real estate conference or networking event are both reasons an agent might travel for work. They also count as business trips, so you can write off your travel costs.

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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.

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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.

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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 ...

When you're not busy showing other peoples' homes, you might spend your time working from your home, on things like lead generation, phone calls with clients, writing listings, and coming up with marketing strategies. In this case, don't forget to write off your home office expenses!

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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.

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Property repairs
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 21

You can write off up to $2,500 for individual repairs to your property.

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Power bill
Write it off using:

Form 8829

Gotta keep the lights on in your home office! A portion of your electricity bill counts.

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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.

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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.

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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!