23 Tax Write-Offs for Virtual Assistants
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.541600
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.As a VA, your attention to detail is probably second to none. And this is likely very helpful at tax time! But allow us to lend you a hand now with this list of tax write-offs for virtual assistants.
Remember: Most business-related expenses can be deducted from your return, whether it's office supplies, productivity software, or ads promoting your services. Read on for more examples that'll help you save money when tax season arrives!
Keeping up with the latest trends and techniques with books and courses can be written off.
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.
Deduct anything you buy for your office, like pens, binders, folders, printer ink, or a whiteboard.
Software you use for invoicing, tracking expenses, creating timesheets, and so on is deductible.
Squarespace, Wix, GoDaddy, and other website service fees are fully tax-deductible.
Ad campaigns on Google, Meta, TikTok, and more are all deductible on your taxes.
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.
If you use a headset for hands-free calls with customers, make sure to write it off.
Write off the fees you pay to contract labor to help you complete projects.
Pay any one contractor $600 or more in a year and you'll need to file a Form 1099-NEC for them.
The cut Stripe, PayPal, Square or your invoicing platform takes on each payment is a write-off.
If you drive for work ...
As a virtual assistant, you might need to drive to pick up office supplies or attend client meetings. In this case, don't forget to claim vehicle-related expenses on your taxes.
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 ...
Business meals are tax-deductible, so if you go for lunch with fellow VAs to talk about industry insights or other work-related matters, you can write it off.
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 ...
Heading to another city for a client meeting or VA conference? This is a business trip, so you can write off your travel costs.
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 your primary workspace is at home, you can deduct home office expenses for the hours you spend on things like marketing and advertising, client development, and managing paperwork.
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.
You may also enjoy learning about ...
Your Guide to Computer Tax Write-Offs
For freelancers and self-employed people, the computers you use for work are tax-deductible. You can write off the full cost, or depreciate it.
By Keeper Staff
How To Deduct Your Cell Phone Bill on Your Taxes
Is My Internet Bill Tax-Deductible in 2026?
The Home Office Deduction Audit Risk Myth
The Last Schedule C Guide You'll Ever Need
How To File Your Self-Employment Taxes in 7 Easy Steps
Track and claim every eligible deduction with Keeper
Keeper scans your accounts for write-offs and files your return — with tax pros reviewing every one.
Try it free