24 Tax Write-Offs for Therapists
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. Working as a therapist can be incredibly fulfilling. But it can also be draining. When you're off the clock, you likely want to focus on doing things that "fill your cup" — not on scouring your bank statements, wondering what might count as an eligible deduction.
That's why we've gathered this list of top write-offs for therapists that can help lower your tax bill — and hopefully increase your time for self-care!
Write off books, publications, databases, and other reference materials you buy or subscribe to.
If you rent an office to see patients, you can write this off.
Dues for professional organizations you choose to join are deductible. One catch: if the group lobbies, the share of your dues it spends on lobbying isn't deductible, and it has to tell you what that percentage is.
Deduct anything you buy for your office, like pens, binders, folders, printer ink, or a whiteboard.
Squarespace, Wix, GoDaddy, and other website service fees are fully tax-deductible.
Print and online advertising costs for your business are considered write-offs.
If buy a phone or laptop and use it for work, it's partially deductible.
Write off any CME seminars you take to learn new techniques or expose yourself to cutting-edge research.
If you drive for work ...
If you drive your car for work-related purposes, like to meet clients or pick up office supplies for your therapy business, you're eligible to deduct vehicle 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 ...
Therapy is constantly evolving. If you go to a restaurant with a fellow therapist, mentor, or specialist to talk about industry insights or other work-related matters, you can write off the costs.
If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it's a write-off! Keep in mind business meals are only 50% deductible.
If you leave town for work ...
While the attending a professional conference can be written off as a business expense. You can also deduct business trip expenses if the event is out of town.
That also goes for seminars on new modalities and in-person meetings with prospective clients.
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, your meals are a write-off, even takeout. Like all business meals, they're 50% deductible, whether you eat on the road or close to home.
If you work from home ...
If you run a teletherapy business or see clients at home, you're eligible to deduct home office expenses.
A desk, chairs, lamps, and other home office necessities are all tax write-offs.
A repair only to your home office is deductible in full. A repair to the whole home is an indirect expense, so you deduct it in proportion to your home office percentage on Form 8829.
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? You water bill counts.
Your Comcast bill is a tax write-off. You need internet to do your job!
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