25 Tax Write-Offs for Wedding Planners
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.812990
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.Love and marriage might go together like a horse and carriage. But freelancers and tax savings are also a pretty dynamic duo. And the #1 way to lower your tax bill is to deduct your business expenses when you file your return.
Most work-related purchases can be written off your taxes, like the cost of a ticket to a trade show or the money you spend on gas when driving clients to scout wedding venues. We know you're already good at keeping track of something borrowed and something blue. Now here's a list of write-offs for wedding planners, just for you.
Squarespace, Wix, GoDaddy, and other website service fees are fully tax-deductible.
Print and online advertising costs for your business are considered write-offs.
Business cards, postcards, and other materials used to promote yourself are deductible.
Keeping up with the latest trends and techniques with books and courses can be written off.
Tickets and entry fees to networking events to grow your client base 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.
Subscriptions to wedding magazines, newsletters, and more are considered tax-deductible.
Write off what you pay for featured listings on popular wedding sites.
If you need to hire an editor, designer, photographer, or other creative pro, write off what you pay them.
If you drive for work ...
A wedding planner needs to have a sense of various local vendors and wedding venues that can suit the needs of different clients. This might include a fair amount of driving from spot to spot, whether you're:
Meeting with engaged couples or vendors
Attending the weddings you've helped plan
Picking up or dropping off packages
Luckily, you can write off car expenses to save money 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.
Oil changes, repairs, and regular checkups are all tax-deductible if you drive for work.
If you discuss work at a restaurant ...
Say "I do" to tax savings by remembering to claim business meal expenses. For example, if you go to a restaurant to chat about your services or an upcoming event with clients, venue owners, vendors, or fellow wedding planners, you can write off the costs.
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 to work on an out-of-town wedding or travel to an event planning conference in another city, feel free to write off your travel 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 ...
Meeting with engaged couples or vendors, preparing budget sheets, or prepping materials for the big day are all things a wedding planner might take care of from home. If this applies to you, don't forget to claim your home office deductions.
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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