Whether you're finding shifts through an app like Gigpro or going it alone, freelance restaurant workers like you often spend long hours on their feet. Still, sitting down to file self-employment taxes might not be a welcome respite. Your first 1099 tax season might, especially, come with a dose of sticker shock.
The good news is that you can significantly lower your tax bill by writing off your business expenses — and an app like Keeper can keep track of all those write-offs for you.
Business expenses include things like your uniform, any required restaurant training courses you need to take, and even the cost of buying pens and paper pads. Essentially, anything that's necessary for you to do your job! Read on for even more examples.
Schedule C, Box 27a
Required uniforms or clothing featuring the restaurant's branding can be written off.
Schedule C, Box 27a
If you need to take courses to get a bartending license, you can write off this expense.
Schedule C, Box 22
If you buy paper and pens to take people's orders, you can deduct these from your taxes.
Schedule C, Box 27a
Required trainings, like for sanitization or bartending, can be written off.
Schedule C, Box 27a
Part of your actual phone's cost, monthly phone bill, and any accessories you use for work can be written off.
Restaurant workers who need to use their car for work, like driving to pick up uniforms, can write off vehicle-related expenses.
Schedule C, Box 27a
Parking for a meeting downtown, or any other work trip, is tax-deductible!
Schedule C, Box 27a
A toll while driving to or from a work destination is tax-deductible!
Schedule C, Box 13
If you buy a new car, you can write off part of the cost every year for five years.
Schedule C, Box 22
Flashlights, tire iron, duct tape, and other tools you may need in your vehicle are deductible.
Schedule C, Box 15
Car insurance monthly fees, registration, even roadside assistance are partially deductible.
Schedule C, Box 9
Oil changes, repairs, and regular checkups are all tax-deductible if you drive for work.
As a restaurant worker, you might invite a prospective business partner to a restaurant to talk about what the service looks like there, and how they can replicate it at their own establishment. This counts as a business meal and can be written off your taxes.
This also applies to grabbing food or coffee with restaurant owners or fellow restaurant workers.
Schedule C, Box 24b
If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it's a write-off!
Attending an out-of-town industry conference to network with other restaurant workers counts as a business trip, so you can write off associated costs.
Schedule C, Box 24a
Planes, trains, and car rentals are all work-related travel costs that can be written off.
Schedule C, Box 24a
When you travel for work, lodging expenses such as hotel rooms or Airbnb are write offs.
Schedule C, Box 24a
When you're traveling for work, all meals are tax-deductible. Even takeout!
While the majority of your work likely happens in restaurants, you might take care of administrative chores, like getting online certifications or managing finances, from a dedicated desk in your home. This qualifies you to claim the home office deduction!
Schedule C, Box 18
A desk, chairs, lamps, and other home office necessities are all tax write-offs.
Schedule C, Box 21
You can write off up to $2,500 for individual repairs to your property.
Form 8829
Gotta keep the lights on in your home office! A portion of your electricity bill counts.
Form 8829
Whether it's rental or homeowners insurance, you can write off a portion through your home office deduction.
Form 8829
It'd be hard to work in an office without running water, huh? You water bill counts.
Schedule C, Box 25
Your Comcast bill is a tax write-off. You need internet to do your job!
