31 Tax Write-Offs for Veterinarians & Other Vet Professionals

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Does the thought of filing your self-employment taxes leave you crawling with stress? It's natural if you need to turn to a soothing cup of tea or other creature comforts to get through the process.

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But helping you save money on your taxes isn't just a pet project for us โ€” it's our full-time focus! Starting with this list of tax write-offs for veterinarians and other vet professionals. Bookmark this page to ensure you save the lion's share on your taxes.

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Licensing fees
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 23

Fees to get or renew your license to perform your work are fully deductible.

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Malpractice insurance
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 15

Insurance premiums to protect you from malpractice suits can be written off.

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Office space
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 20b

If you rent an office to see patients, you can write this off.

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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.

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Protective gear
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 22

Write off the protective gear, like goggles and gloves, you wear while performing electrical work.

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Tools & equipment
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 22

Flags, flares, and other tools or equipment used to direct traffic are deductible.

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Pet food
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 22

Any pet food you buy for the animals you're taking care of counts as a write-off.

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Pet supplies
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 22

Leashes, litter boxes, beds, and other supplies for pets are considered write-offs.

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Pet toys
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 22

Toys you buy to play with the animals you watch, train, or groom are all tax-deductible.

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Veterinary staff
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 26

From veterinary technicians to office managers, you might need a staff to help you run your practice. Their salaries can be written off.

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Employee benefits
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 14

If you have employees, you'll spend money to take care of them with health insurance and other benefits. Write off what you pay for these programs.

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Advertising
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 8

Print and online advertising costs for your business are considered write-offs.

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Website & hosting fees
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 8

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

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Social media tools
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 18

Write off the tools you use to create assets, schedule posts, or pull analytics.

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Accountant fees
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 17

Do you pay a professional to audit your financial records and take care of your tax planning? Their fees are a write-off.

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If you drive for work ...

Filing self-employment taxes might feel like a whole other animal, but remember that as a freelance veterinary technician, you can now benefit from tax write-offs.

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For instance, if you drive your car to make house calls (say, to a farm or zoo), pick up supplies, or for other work-related matters, you can write off car expenses.

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Parking
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

Parking for a meeting downtown, or any other work trip, is tax-deductible!

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Tolls
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

A toll while driving to or from a work destination is tax-deductible!

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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.

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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.

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Car insurance & registration
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 15

Car insurance monthly fees, registration, even roadside assistance are partially deductible.

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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 ...

As a rule of thumb, dining expenses can be written off if they're incurred for work purposes.

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Like meeting a (human) client or fellow vet technician to talk about an animal in your car.

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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 ...

If there's an out-of-town veterinary conference, seminar, or other work-related events you want to attend, rest assured you can write off travel expenses.

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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.

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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.

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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 ...

Manage your practice's social media or conduct industry research from your desk at home? You're probably eligible to claim home office deductions. That's true even if you see clients in a dedicated office outside your home.

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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.

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Property repairs
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 21

You can write off up to $2,500 for individual repairs to your property.

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Power bill
Write it off using:

Form 8829

Gotta keep the lights on in your home office! A portion of your electricity bill counts.

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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.

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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.

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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!