22 Tax Write-Offs for Independent Sommeliers
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.541990
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.Do you taste wine for a living? If so, congratulations on winning the job lottery.
Unfortunately, it's not all sunshine and rosés. If you have freelance earnings from working as a sommelier, you have to file business taxes just like the rest of us.
Like most specialty trades, sommeliers are able to write off the cost of continuing education, which can be anything from wine tasting to a conference to joining a wine club. Use the tax guide below to figure out exactly what expenses you can count as business write-offs.
Write off what you pay for the Court of Master Sommeliers exams. That also goes for any study aids you buy while prepping for the test, from online courses to books.
Do you belong to GuildSomm? Access to their study guides, classes, and other resources help you level up as a wine professional, so they're tax-deductible.
If you host a tasting, any wines you don't get reimbursed for count as a write-off!
Deduct anything you buy for your office, like pens, binders, folders, printer ink, or a whiteboard.
Reference books you use for research or to hone your industry knowledge are write-offs.
If you attend a wine tasting event, you get to write off the cost of your ticket. Why? Because you're in the industry, it counts as work-related education.
If you drive for work ...
You might drive around town to meet with a customer, sample a new wine, or attend a conference. 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 ...
If you wine and dine a client, or talk shop with a chef or fellow wine professional over entrées, you get to write off half of what you spend on the business meal.
If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it's a write-off!
If you leave town for work ...
Your job might take you to vineyards far and wide — not to mention out-of-town clients and wine industry events. As long as you're traveling for business purposes, the IRS allows you to deduct what you spend on lodging, transport, and even meals while you're en route.
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 ...
You're entitled to write off home office expenses if you regularly host tastings, prepare menus, or communicate with clients from a dedicated workstation at your place.
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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