28 Tax Write-Offs for Freelance Recruiters
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.561300
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 freelance recruiter, you spend a lot of your time helping companies find candidates that are "the right fit." But do you also know how to spot qualified tax deductions?
The cost of a ticket to a networking event, email marketing software, or setting up a stall at a job fair can be claimed on your Schedule C to lower your tax bill.
And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Read on for our list of common write-offs for recruiters!
Tickets and entry fees to networking events to grow your client base can be written off.
Software for CRM, lead generation, or email marketing is a write-off.
Write off any email marketing software like Mailchimp or ActiveCampaign.
Deduct anything you buy for your office, like pens, binders, folders, printer ink, or a whiteboard.
Software for scheduling or hosting meetings, like Zoom or Calendly, is tax-deductible.
Print and online advertising costs for your business are considered write-offs.
Squarespace, Wix, GoDaddy, and other website service fees are fully tax-deductible.
Write off the fees you pay to contract labor to help you complete projects.
If you buy a phone or laptop and use it for work, it's partially deductible.
Deduct fees to set up a table at a job fair so you can recruit.
If you have to pay to post a job listing online, you can write off this expense.
A subscription to LinkedIn Premium for recruiting is tax-deductible.
If you drive for work ...
Driving to pick up office supplies or to attend a networking event, job fair, or seminar? Don't forget to write off your car expenses!
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 ...
Dining expenses are partially deductible when they're incurred for business purposes. This includes meeting with a potential hire or fellow recruiter to talk about work-related matters.
If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it's a write-off!
If you leave town for work ...
Attending a recruiting conference or networking event in another city? As long as it's at least 100 miles away from your home, you can write off the travel costs.
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 ...
As a recruiter, you might work from an at-home desk on a number of things, such as:
Attending virtual recruitment events
Conducting first-round interviews over Zoom
Creating ads for new job postings
Keeping up-to-date with industry advances in recruiting tech, DEI, and more
If this applies to you, remember to write off part of your home office expenses.
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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Your Guide to Computer Tax Write-Offs
For freelancers and self-employed people, the computers you use for work are tax-deductible. You can write off the full cost, or depreciate it.
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