What Expenses Can I Deduct or Write-off as a 1099 Contractor or Freelancer?
Our interactive expense deduction calculator can help you find tax write-offs — even those you might not have known about — so that you don't miss out on savings at tax time.
If you are an Independent Contractor or Freelancer, select your profession and get a snapshot of the tax deductions you may be eligible for - specific to your industry!
Common self-employed expenses when...
Working from home
Home Office Furniture
Light Bill
Water Bill
Rent
Driving to work
Gas
Car Maintenance
Insurance & Registration
Parking & Tolls
Vehicle Depreciation
Mileage
Here are common self-employment expenses for:
Actors & Performance Artists
- Self Promotion Material
- Costumes
- Performance Hair & Make-up
- Manager Fees
- Union Dues
- Conferences & Classes
- Video Equipment
- Photography Equipment
- Travel
- Home Office
- Mileage/Car Expenses
Here are common self-employment expenses for:
Artists
- Art Supplies (canvas, brushes, paint)
- Advertising
- Photography equipment (lighting, camera, backdrops)
- Studio Expenses
- Art Stands
- Commission Fees
- Website Development/Maintenance
- Home Office
- Mileage/Car Expenses
Here are common self-employment expenses for:
Copywriters & Bloggers
- Computer, Laptop, Tablet
- Phone Bill
- Internet Bill
- Software (computer software, design software)
- Website Expenses (hosting, design, layout)
- Memberships & Subscriptions
- Website Development/Maintenance
- Travel
- Home Office
- Mileage/Car Expenses
Here are common self-employment expenses for:
Caregivers & Nannies
- Medical Supplies (PPE)
- Advertising
- App Fees
- Legal Fees
- Cleaning Supplies
- Commission Fees
- Mileage
- Uniform
- Cleaning Bill
- Home Office
- Mileage/Car Expenses
Here are common self-employment expenses for:
Construction Contractors
- Trade School
- Licensing & Fees
- Uniform & Work Clothes (hard hats, vest, boots, protective gear)
- Insurance
- Safety Equipment
- Car & Truck Expenses
- Advertising (online or print)
- Tools & Equipment
- Travel
- Home Office
- Mileage/Car Expenses
Here are common self-employment expenses for:
Cosmetic & Personal Care
- Advertising
- Website Development/Maintenance
- Supply Storage
- Promotional Giveaways
- Commission Fees
- Phone & Accessories
- Phone Bill
- Equipment (lighting, backdrops, tripod)
- Conference/Show Fees
- Travel
- Home Office
- Mileage/Car Expenses
Here are common self-employment expenses for:
Package & Food Delivery Drivers
- Phone Bill
- Phone & Accessories
- Courier & Hot Bags
- Commission Fees
- Uniform & Merchandise
- Parking & Tolls
- Gas
- Car Maintenance
- Home Office
- Mileage/Car Expenses
Here are common self-employment expenses for:
Dog Walkers & Pet Sitters
- Poop Bags
- Pet Treats
- Pet Toys
- Leashes & Harnesses
- Phone Bill
- Phone & Accessories
- Rain & Snow Gear
- Walking Shoes
- Advertising
- Pet Beds
- Home Office
- Mileage/Car Expenses
Here are common self-employment expenses for:
Independent Consultants & Freelancers
- Continuing Education
- Legal Fees
- Business Cards
- Software
- Advertising
- Marketing Material
- Website Expenses
- Phone & Accessories
- Phone Bill
- Home Office
- Mileage/Car Expenses
Here are common self-employment expenses for:
Hairdressers, Stylists, & Barbers
- Rent
- Supplies
- Education & Classes
- Uniform
- Licensing & Fees
- Advertising
- Card & Bank Fees
- Phone & Accessories
- Dues & Subscriptions
- Towels & Smocks
- Hair Products & Chemicals
- Hair Tools & Equipment
- Home Office
- Mileage/Car Expenses
Here are common self-employment expenses for:
Life & Business Coaches
- Conferences & Classes
- Office Supplies
- Office Furniture
- Phone Bill
- Phone & Accessories
- Education & Classes
- Advertising/Marketing
- Website Maintenance
- Home Office
- Mileage/Car Expenses
Here are common self-employment expenses for:
Make-up Artists
- Make-up Kit Supplies
- Membership Fees
- Make-up Products, Brushes, & Sponges
- Promotional Goodies
- Phone & Accessories
- Education & Classes
- Licenses & Fees
- Card & Bank Fees
- Web Development/Maintenance
- Conference Expenses
- Home Office
- Mileage/Car Expenses
Here are common self-employment expenses for:
Massage Therapists
- Training & Certification
- Oils & Lotions
- Spa or Studio Rent
- Massage Furniture
- Music Streaming App
- Website Expenses
- Legal Fees
- Advertising
- Home Office
- Mileage/Car Expenses
Here are common self-employment expenses for:
Models
- Self Promotion Material
- Agency Commissions
- Make-up Products, Brushes, & Sponges
- Coaching & Classes
- Phone & Accessories
- Phone Bill
- Portfolio Expenses
- Casting Site Fees
- Manager Fees
- Travel
- Union Dues
- Home Office
- Mileage/Car Expenses
Here are common self-employment expenses for:
Musicians & Bands
- Musical Instrument & Carrying Case
- Editing Software
- Microphone
- Advertising
- Streaming Services Fee
- Commission Fees
- Subscriptions & Memberships
- Recording Studio Fees
- Home Office
- Mileage/Car Expenses
Here are common self-employment expenses for:
Nail Technicians & Manicurists
- Licensing & Fees
- Advertising
- Uniform
- Supplies (nail polish, decor, nail clippers, nail filers, carrying case)
- Education & Classes
- Rent
- Card & Bank Fees
- Phone & Accessories
- Dues & Subscriptions
- Web Development/Maintenance
- Home Office
- Mileage/Car Expenses
Here are common self-employment expenses for:
Online Merchants (e.g. Ebay, Etsy, Amazon)
- Advertising
- Shipping & Packaging
- Merchant Services Fees
- Website Expenses
- Commissions Paid
- Email Software
- Materials & Supplies
- Photography Expenses
- Electronics
- Equipment (scanners, scales, shipping labels)
- Home Office
- Mileage/Car Expenses
Here are common self-employment expenses for:
Personal Trainers (PTs) & Fitness Consultants
- Exercise Equipment
- Advertising
- Certification & Education
- Conferences, Workshops, & Classes
- Professional Fees
- Phone & Accessories
- Memberships
- Marketing
- Supplements & Shakes for Clients
- Website Development/Maintenance
- Home Office
- Mileage/Car Expenses
Here are common self-employment expenses for:
Photographers & Videographers
- Photography equipment (Lights, Backdrops, Tripods, Stands, Carrying Cases)
- Editing Software
- Advertising
- Electronics (computer, laptops, tablets)
- Studio Expenses
- Data Storage
- Business Cards
- Phone & Accessories
- Video Equipment
- Stock Photo/Video Platforms
- Travel
- Home Office
- Mileage/Car Expenses
Here are common self-employment expenses for:
Production Assistants
- Equipment
- Production Materials
- Travel Expenses
- Production Costs
- Decor & Staging Furniture
- Commission Fees
- Website Development/Maintenance
- Home Office
- Mileage/Car Expenses
Here are common self-employment expenses for:
Realtors & Real Estate Brokers
- Licensing & Membership Fees
- Education & Training
- Property Marketing
- Commissions Paid
- Desk Fees
- Office Supplies
- Phone Bill
- Phone & Accessories
- Home Staging & Decor Fees
- Client Gifts
- Home Office
- Mileage/Car Expenses
Here are common self-employment expenses for:
Rideshare Drivers (e.g. Uber, Lyft)
- Car Wash & Cleaning
- Phone & Accessories
- Passenger Goodies
- Car Maintenance
- Insurance & Registration
- Parking & Tolls
- Gas
- Mileage/Car Expenses
Here are common self-employment expenses for:
Influencers & Content Creators
- Phone & Accessories
- Prizes for Giveaways
- Personalized Merchandise
- App Fees
- Advertising
- Website Expenses
- Office Supplies
- Electronics
- Conference Expenses
- Travel
- Home Office
- Mileage/Car Expenses
Here are common self-employment expenses for:
Electricians
- Electrical Classes
- Licensing & Fees
- Uniform & Work Clothes (Hard hats, vest, boots, protective gear)
- Insurance
- Safety Equipment
- Car & Truck Expenses
- Advertising (online or print)
- Tools & Equipment
- Home Office
- Mileage/Car Expenses
Here are common self-employment expenses for:
Plumbers & Handymen
- Plumbing Classes
- Licensing & Fees
- Uniform & Work Clothes (Hard hats, vest, boots, protective gear)
- Insurance
- Safety Equipment
- Car & Truck Expenses
- Advertising (online or print)
- Tools & Equipment
- Home Office
- Mileage/Car Expenses
Here are common self-employment expenses for:
Roofers & Roofing Repair
- Roofing Classes
- Licensing & Fees
- Uniform & Work Clothes (Hard hats, vest, boots, protective gear)
- Insurance
- Safety Equipment
- Car & Truck Expenses
- Advertising (online or print)
- Tools & Equipment
- Home Office
- Mileage/Car Expenses
Here are common self-employment expenses for:
Private Tutors
- Electronics (computer, keyboard, mouse, moniter etc)
- Phone & Accessories
- Phone Bill
- Education Supplies
- Student Rewards
- Internet Bill
- Chalk or White Boards
- PPE (personal protective equipment)
- Home Office
- Mileage/Car Expenses
Here are common self-employment expenses for:
Web & Graphic Designers
- Software (computer software, design software)
- Advertising
- Marketing Material
- Electronics (computer, laptop, tablet)
- Data Storage
- Phone & Accessories
- Classes/Conferences
- Website Development/Maintenance
- Travel
- Home Office
- Mileage/Car Expenses
Here are common self-employment expenses for:
Wedding & Event Planners
- Phone & Accessories
- Event Location Costs
- Website Expenses
- Advertising
- Marketing Materials
- Contracted Labor, Employees, & Services (florists, balloon artist, servers, bartenders)
- Subscriptions & Memberships
- Wedding Expos & Conferences
- Event Rental Equipment (decor, furniture, tables, plates, chairs)
- Travel & Meals Related to Your Business
- Home Office
- Mileage/Car Expenses
Here are common self-employment expenses for:
Yoga & Wellness Instructors
- Rent
- Studio Supplies
- Certification Fees
- Professional Memberships
- Music & Music Subscriptions
- Insurance
- Aromatheraphy, Oils & Supplements
- Classes & Workshops
- Advertising
- Home Office
- Mileage/Car Expenses
Home Office Deduction
Home Office Deduction – If you use part of your home regularly and exclusively for your self-employed business, you can claim a home office deduction for a portion of your home expenses including utilities, rent, mortgage interest, property taxes, depreciation, and maintenance based on the square footage of your home used for your business.
Mileage Deduction
Mileage Deduction - If you are self-employed, then any driving you do directly related to your business (such as meeting with a client, going to a networking event, or driving a rideshare client) may be deductible business mileage. You can choose to deduct your actual business mileage at 56 cents per mile or actual car expenses, but not both. TurboTax Self-Employed helps freelancers and contractors figure out which option gives the biggest business tax deduction.
Actual Car Expense Deduction
Actual Car Expense Deduction – If you are a self-employed contractor and you drive your car for your business, you can chose to take the mileage deduction or deduct actual car expenses like gas, repairs, oil, tires, insurance, registration fees, and lease payments based on the percentage of business use.