28 Tax Write-Offs for Freelance Writers
What could be better than getting paid to write? How about getting a lower tax bill simply because you’re paid to write? It’s true: as a freelance writer, you’re entitled to write off any ordinary business expense from your taxes. Whether it’s a writing conference or a new laptop, the purchases you make to further your career can also help you save money. So get those keys clacking, because there’s savings in your keyboard!
Schedule C, Box 27a
Educational books to increase your knowledge and skills are tax write-offs.
Schedule C, Box 18
Software for CRM, lead generation, or email marketing is a write-off.
Schedule C, Box 17
Legal fees paid to set up your business or draw up paperwork are deductible.
Schedule C, Box 8
Business cards, postcards, and other materials used to promote yourself are deductible.
Schedule C, Box 18
Software you use for invoicing, tracking expenses, creating timesheets, and so on is deductible.
Schedule C, Box 8
Squarespace, Wix, GoDaddy, and other website service fees are fully tax-deductible.
Schedule C, Box 27a
All conferences and retreats you attend to enhance your writing and network can be written off
Schedule C, Box 27a
Courses, conferences, workshops, and premium listservs: write off anything you pay for to enhance your design skills or further your career.
Schedule C, Box 27a
Databases, apps, and other tools used to research a topic you're writing about can be written off.
Schedule C, Box 11
If you need to hire an editor, designer, photographer, or other creative pro, write off what you pay them.
Schedule C, Box 18
If you pay for cloud data storage to store files for work, it's a write-off.
Schedule C, Box 18
Writing tools like Grammarly and Hemingway are tax-deductible. So are word processors like Scrivener and transcription software for interviews.
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Freelance writers spend a lot of time at their desks with a thought bubble above their heads almost visible. But you also might need to step away to pick up office supplies, or to drive to a client meeting, conference, seminar, writing class, or network event. When you use your car for such work-related purposes, you can write off a portion of your car expenses.
Schedule C, Box 27a
Parking for a meeting downtown, or any other work trip, is tax-deductible!
Schedule C, Box 27a
A toll while driving to or from a work destination is tax-deductible!
Schedule C, Box 13
If you buy a new car, you can write off part of the cost every year for five years.
Schedule C, Box 22
Flashlights, tire iron, duct tape, and other tools you may need in your vehicle are deductible.
Schedule C, Box 15
Car insurance monthly fees, registration, even roadside assistance are partially deductible.
Schedule C, Box 9
Oil changes, repairs, and regular checkups are all tax-deductible if you drive for work.
Meeting editors, agents, lawyers, graphic designers, or fellow writers to talk about work over food or drink might not be a novel idea, but it is a good one: networking and information-sharing are key to success as a freelancer.And the good news is these business meals are tax-deductible.
Schedule C, Box 24b
If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it's a write-off!
Not all out-of-town conferences, seminars, classes, or client meetings will end up being something to write home about. But you can write travel costs associated with those trips off on your taxes, as they qualify as business trips.
Schedule C, Box 24a
Planes, trains, and car rentals are all work-related travel costs that can be written off.
Schedule C, Box 24a
When you travel for work, lodging expenses such as hotel rooms or Airbnb are write offs.
Schedule C, Box 24a
When you're traveling for work, all meals are tax-deductible. Even takeout!
You don't have to be at home working from Monday to Friday, 9 to 5, to claim home office deductions. As a freelance writer, you likely set your own hours and decide when to work on completing assignments, researching topics, client development, finance and expense management, and marketing services.So long as the majority of this work happens from a designated workspace in your home, you can write home office expenses off on your taxes.
Schedule C, Box 18
A desk, chairs, lamps, and other home office necessities are all tax write-offs.
Schedule C, Box 21
You can write off up to $2,500 for individual repairs to your property.
Form 8829
Gotta keep the lights on in your home office! A portion of your electricity bill counts.
Form 8829
Whether it's rental or homeowners insurance, you can write off a portion through your home office deduction.
Form 8829
It'd be hard to work in an office without running water, huh? You water bill counts.
Schedule C, Box 25
Your Comcast bill is a tax write-off. You need internet to do your job!
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