24 Tax Write-Offs for Therapists
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.621330
Reviewed bySabrina Wiechart, CPASabrina is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with over 15 years of experience in tax preparation, planning, and S-Corp compliance. She holds a Master’s in Accounting and specializes in helping self-employed individuals make smart tax decisions. Sabrina is passionate about simplifying the S-Corp process and making sure every client keeps more of what they earn.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.
If you belong to any professional organizations, you can write off the dues.
The share of your dues that goes toward lobbying isn't deductible — your organization can tell you what percentage that 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 you buy a phone or laptop and use it for work, it's partially deductible — in proportion to how much you use it for business. The device itself is depreciated on Box 13 (or expensed under Section 179); your monthly service plan belongs on Box 27b, and accessories on Box 22.
Write off any CME seminars you take to learn new techniques or expose yourself to cutting-edge research.
This covers training that maintains or improves skills for the work you already do. Courses that qualify you for a new trade or profession are not deductible.
Insurance premiums to protect you from malpractice suits can be written off.
Paid supervision hours toward a clinical credential — LCSW, LPC, LMFT and the like — are deductible.
Scheduling, client notes, EHR and billing software you run your practice on are write-offs.
Renewing your license and paying for any background checks your role requires are deductible as taxes and licenses.
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 — if you use the actual expense method. The standard mileage rate already covers them.
Oil changes, repairs, and regular checkups are deductible if you use the actual expense method. Take the standard mileage rate instead and they're already baked into your per-mile deduction.
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 — 50% of the tab.
If you leave town for work ...
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 50% deductible — takeout included. (Long-haul truck drivers subject to DOT hours-of-service rules can deduct 80%.)
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. Anything over about $2,500 gets depreciated on Form 4562 instead of written off all at once.
Repairs just for your home office are 100% deductible. Repairs to the rest of your home count too, prorated by your business-use 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? Your water bill counts.
You need internet to do your job! If you claim a home office, deduct it prorated on Form 8829 along with your other utilities. Internet you pay for on the road, purely for work, is 100% deductible.
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