24 Tax Write-Offs for Dog Walkers
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.812910
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.Let’s face it, getting to hang out with dogs all day is pretty much a dream job. The only thing that could make it better? Being able to save money at tax time because you hang out with dogs all day! So sit and stay for a moment, because there’s a ton of expenses you can write off on your taxes just by being a dog walker.
From poo bags to treats to new leashes, the purchases you make for your furry friends can also work for you. If that doesn’t make your tag wag with excitement, we don’t know what will!
Treats you buy to give to the dogs you walk are write-offs.
Don't leave a dog's mess for someone else to find! You can write off these plastic bags.
It's miserable to walk dogs in the rain without the proper gear. But you can write it off!
This only holds up for gear you wouldn't reasonably wear outside of work.
If you use a bike to get to your client, you can write off the associated expenses.
A bike is not a motor vehicle, so the standard mileage rate and Box 9 car expenses do not apply. Maintenance, repairs and accessories are supplies on Box 22.
Additional leashes or harnesses for the dogs you walk are all tax-deductible.
If you use your phone for work (who doesn't?), then a part of your phone bill is tax-deductible.
Write off what you spend on buses, subways, or trains you take to meet clients.
Any toys you buy to play with the dogs you walk, like tennis balls, can be written off.
The cut Stripe, PayPal, Square or your invoicing platform takes on each payment is a write-off.
Protecting yourself and your business with liability insurance? It's a write-off.
A bond covering claims of theft or damage while you work in a client's space is deductible — "bonded and insured" is standard in the trade.
Pet first aid and CPR certification is deductible — on Box 23 instead if a platform or local rule requires it.
If you drive for work ...
If you drive around town picking up your clients' pups for walks or trips to the dog park, you can write off your car 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 ...
A restaurant expense can be written off if the reason you're there is to chat about work, perhaps with a client or fellow dog walker.
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 ...
If you have to venture out of town for industry conferences, networking events, dog shows, or competitions, remember to claim travel expenses on your taxes.
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 ...
Throw your finances a bone by remembering to claim your home office expenses on your taxes.
What kind of activities make a dog walker eligible for home office write-offs?
Working on client development
Managing finances and paperwork
Creating marketing and advertising assets
Scheduling appointments with clients
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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