25 Tax Write-Offs for Salespeople

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For a salesperson, building customer relationships on behalf of the brands you work for is your bread and butter. That said, one relationship you might feel more conflicted about is with the IRS. Filing your taxes can be especially overwhelming for the newly self-employed, who are used to having taxes deducted from their paychecks by employers.

The good news: We've got a long list of leads you can turn to when tax season arrives. From office supplies to client gifts and trade show tickets, here's a list of common money-saving write-offs that outside sales reps should deduct from their taxes.

📝
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.

📞
Headset
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 18

If you use a headset for hands-free calls with customers, make sure to write it off.

🖥️
Electronic devices
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 18

Computers, extra monitors, webcams, and microphones needed to teach are write-offs.

👕
Uniform & branded items
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

This includes uniforms or any branded items you must wear while working.

🌐
Website & hosting fees
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 8

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

🛠️
Contract labor
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 11

Write off the fees you pay to contract labor to help you complete projects.

📇
CRMs
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 18

If you use a CRM to keep track of customer calls and issues, write it off!

🎁
Client gifts
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

Gifts for clients costing up to $25 are deductible.

👨‍💻
Productivity software
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 18

Software you use for invoicing, tracking expenses, creating timesheets, and so on is deductible.

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If you drive for work ...

If you're in sales, you probably spend a lot of time on the move, meeting with clients, going to the office, and picking up office supplies, inventory, or client gifts.

Luckily, when you use your car for work you can write off car-related 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 ...

Working as a sales representative involves a lot of meetings with others — clients, mentors, fellow sales reps, and other folks who might be helpful in your business, like marketers.

If you meet someone at a restaurant to chat about work-related matters, it counts as a business expense and can be deducted.

🍔
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, attending an industry event, or heading to a sales conference?

These all count as business trips and the associated costs can be written off 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 ...

Making sales calls and working on lead generation and client development are just a few of the tasks a sales representative might do from a home office.

If you do work from home, remember to write off related deductions.

🛋️
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!