26 Tax Deductions for Freelance Designers | Beem

NAICS code: 541400

Designers like you are the spine of today’s digital world. From advertisements to movie posters and websites, if it was not for you, the world today would be way less colorful and creative. And most importantly, you remind the world of an extremely important thing, passion.

But what if we tell you that while you sketch and paint, you can also save your taxes? Well, surprise, surprise! You can do that now. Don’t worry, we have come up with a quick list of write-offs to help you.

We have put together a list of the most common write-offs for freelance designers that you can use to deduct your expenses.

💻 Design software
Write it off using: Schedule C, Box 18
You can write off design software, including Photoshop and InDesign.
🖥️ Electronic devices
Write it off using: Schedule C, Box 18
Your devices that are required to teach, like Computers, extra monitors, webcams, and microphones, can be written off.
🌐 Website & hosting fees
Write it off using: Schedule C, Box 8
Website services like Wix and GoDaddy can be fully written off.
🎓Professional development
Write it off using: Schedule C, Box 27a
If you choose to enhance your skills or progress in your career, the courses, conferences, and workshops that you attend are fully tax-deductible.
🎨Creative assistance
Write it off using: Schedule C, Box 11
The payments made to hired editors, designers, photographers, or any other creative professionals can be written off.
📣Online advertising
Write it off using: Schedule C, Box 8
The expenses on ad campaigns run by you on Facebook, Google, Instagram, and other platforms can be written off.

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☯️Digital design assets
Write it off using: Schedule C, Box 27a
Fonts, brushes, stock images, and any other digital assets you use for design can be written off.
🖼️ Professional photos
Write it off using: Schedule C, Box 11
Hiring a photographer to take professional photos for your portfolio can be deducted.
📝Office supplies
Write it off using: Schedule C, Box 18
You can deduct anything you buy for your office, including pens, binders, folders, printer ink, or a whiteboard.
📱Phone, laptop, accessories
Write it off using: Schedule C, Box 27a
If buy a phone or laptop and use it for work, it’s partially deductible.
📚 Educational books
Write it off using: Schedule C, Box 27a
Educational books to increase your knowledge and skills are tax write-offs.
😎 Self-promotional materials
Write it off using: Schedule C, Box 8
Audition tapes, portfolios, business cards: write off anything you use to promote yourself.
📱 Social media tools
Write it off using: Schedule C, Box 18
Write off the tools you use to create assets, schedule posts, or pull analytics.

If you drive for work ...

You might spend a lot of your time zipping around town to meet clients, finish assignments and do your research among other tasks. Luckily, you can write off car-related expenses like maintenance and gas. Keep these tax write-offs in mind as a growing .

Parking
Write it off using: Schedule C, Box 27a
Parking for a meeting downtown, or any other work trip, is tax-deductible!
Tolls
Write it off using: Schedule C, Box 27a
A toll while driving to or from a work destination is tax-deductible!
Car purchase & depreciation
Write it off using: Schedule C, Box 13
If you buy a new car, you can write off part of the cost every year for five years.
Vehicle tool kit
Write it off using: Schedule C, Box 22
Flashlights, tire iron, duct tape, and other tools you may need in your vehicle are deductible.
Car insurance & registration
Write it off using: Schedule C, Box 15
Car insurance monthly fees, registration, even roadside assistance are partially deductible.
Car maintenance
Write it off using: Schedule C, Box 9
Oil changes, repairs, and regular checkups are all tax-deductible if you drive for work.

If you discuss work at a restaurant ...

Networking is a core practice of a successful and it can also be added to your tax write-offs. You likely often meet clients or people in your field at restaurants to chat about work, discuss projects and sign deals. When you do, remember to write off your business meal expenses.

🍔 Business meals
Write it off using: Schedule C, Box 24b
If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it’s a write-off!

If you leave town for work ...

Meeting an out-of-town client, attending a conference or networking is all part of the job. There are many reasons for you to travel for work as a busy and they can all be added as tax write-offs. They also count as business trips, so you can write off your travel costs.

Transportation
Write it off using: Schedule C, Box 24a
Planes, trains, and car rentals are all work-related travel costs that can be written off.
Travel lodging
Write it off using: Schedule C, Box 24a
When you travel for work, lodging expenses such as hotel rooms or Airbnb are write offs.
Meals while traveling
Write it off using: Schedule C, Box 24a
When you’re traveling for work, all meals are tax-deductible. Even takeout!

If you work from home ...

When you’re not busy working outside, you might spend your time working from your home as a successful and many activities count as tax write-offs. These include business plans, promotional work and coming up with new strategies. In this case, don’t forget to write off your home office expenses!

Home office furniture
Write it off using: Schedule C, Box 18
A desk, chairs, lamps, and other home office necessities are all tax write-offs.
Property repairs
Write it off using: Schedule C, Box 21
You can write off up to $2,500 for individual repairs to your property.
Power bill
Write it off using: Form 8829
Gotta keep the lights on in your home office! A portion of your electricity bill counts.
Property insurance
Write it off using: Form 8829
Whether it’s rental or homeowners insurance, you can write off a portion through your home office deduction.
Water bill
Write it off using: Form 8829
It’d be hard to work in an office without running water, huh? You water bill counts.
Wi-Fi bill
Write it off using: Schedule C, Box 25
Your Comcast bill is a tax write-off. You need internet to do your job!