Freelancer Tax Deductions Checklist: Everything You Can Write Off
If you freelance, you are leaving money on the table if you do not deduct these 15 expenses. Complete checklist with examples.
Home Office Deduction
If you use a dedicated space in your home exclusively for work, you can deduct a portion of your rent or mortgage, utilities, internet, and insurance. The simplified method lets you deduct 5 dollars per square foot up to 300 square feet, which is a maximum 1,500 dollar deduction with no math required. The regular method calculates the percentage of your home used for business and applies it to actual expenses. The space must be used regularly and exclusively for work — a kitchen table does not qualify, but a spare bedroom used only as an office does.
Equipment and Software
Computers, monitors, printers, phones, cameras, and any equipment used for your freelance work are deductible. Software subscriptions like Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft 365, QuickBooks, project management tools, and cloud storage are also deductible. If you use equipment for both personal and business purposes, deduct only the business-use percentage.
Vehicle and Mileage
If you drive for business (client meetings, deliveries, supply runs), you can deduct mileage at the standard IRS rate of 70 cents per mile in 2026. Keep a mileage log with date, destination, purpose, and miles driven. Alternatively, you can deduct actual vehicle expenses like gas, maintenance, and insurance proportional to business use. Commuting from home to a regular workplace is not deductible, but driving from your home office to a client site is.
Health Insurance and Retirement
Self-employed health insurance premiums are 100 percent deductible on your personal tax return. This includes coverage for you, your spouse, and dependents. Contributions to a SEP-IRA (up to 25 percent of net self-employment income, max 69,000 in 2026) or Solo 401k are deductible and reduce your tax bill while building retirement savings. Even a traditional IRA contribution of up to 7,000 dollars (8,000 if over 50) is deductible.
Other Commonly Missed Deductions
Professional development: courses, books, conferences, and certifications related to your work. Marketing: website hosting, domain names, business cards, advertising, and social media tools. Professional services: accounting fees, legal fees, and tax preparation costs. Bank fees: business account fees and payment processing fees from PayPal, Stripe, or Square. Coworking space memberships. Business meals with clients at 50 percent deduction. Phone bill at the business-use percentage.
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