25 Tax Write-Offs for Freelance Teachers & Tutors
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.611000
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.Whether you teach online or in person, your day's spent helping others learn. So you might not want to spend your after-school hours teaching yourself how to file your self-employment taxes. We're here to help make the learning curve a little less steep with a list of common write-offs for independent teachers and tutors.
From classroom supplies (including virtual backdrops if you teach online!) to the cost of flying to an out-of-town education conference, there's a long list of deductions you can claim to save money on your taxes.
Decorations to make your classroom (or filming backdrop) learning-friendly are tax write-offs.
Deduct any props you use during lessons to help students understand concepts.
From gold stars to bigger prizes, rewards for student achievements can be deducted.
Computers, extra monitors, webcams, and microphones needed to teach are write-offs.
Turnitin, Copyscape, or other software you use to grade papers or teach can be written off.
Part of your actual phone's cost, monthly phone bill, and any accessories you use for work can be written off.
Paper, stickers, and other supplies to make signs or decorate bulletin boards are deductible.
Programs you use to inform employees of new policies and other info can be deducted.
If your school requires you to wear a uniform or branded clothing while teaching, write it off.
If you drive for work ...
As a teacher, you might spend school nights or weekends picking up classroom and office materials or driving to and from school.
If that's the case, you can write off vehicle-related 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 the purpose is to talk about work, meeting with an administrator, fellow teacher, or student's parents at a restaurant counts as a business meal. So you can deduct the costs on your Schedule C.
If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it's a write-off!
If you leave town for work ...
If you get hired for a short-term teaching gig abroad, or attend a teaching conference in a different city, you can claim business trip expenses.
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 ...
Whether you teach virtually on a full-time basis or take care of extracurricular tasks from an at-home workspace, like grading papers or lesson planning, you can write home office deductions off on your Schedule C.
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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