22 Tax Write-Offs for Self-Employed Welders
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.332000
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. When it's time to file your self-employment taxes and you're faced with your tax bill, you might wish that you could fuse each dollar you earn to your bank account. Luckily, you can significantly reduce the amount you owe by deducting your business expenses on your Schedule C.
This list includes most work-related expenses, like equipment, union dues, protective gear, and lots more! Keep scrolling for the full list of write-offs welders should claim when they file their taxes.
Fees to renew your license to perform your work are fully deductible.
Write off the protective gear, like goggles and gloves, you wear on the job.
Continuing education classes required to keep your job are fully deductible.
If you belong to a union, go ahead and write off your dues.
Protecting yourself and your business with liability insurance? It's a write-off.
Blowtorches, spool guns, and other welding tools are tax-deductible for you.
If you drive for work ...
Picking up welding supplies, meeting clients, or traveling between job sites? Go ahead and 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.
Oil changes, repairs, and regular checkups are all tax-deductible if you drive for work.
If you discuss work at a restaurant ...
The cost of dining with a mentor, client, or fellow welder can be written off your taxes as long as your conversations are about work.
If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it's a write-off!
If you leave town for work ...
As long as they're "ordinary" and "necessary" — meaning, typical of your industry and helpful for doing your job — travel expenses can be written off. You just have to be traveling for a work-related purpose, like attending a welding conference or working an out-of-town job.
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 ...
If you regularly attend online welding courses, conduct industry research, or communicate with clients from your at-home workspace, 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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