The Freelancer Tax Deduction Checklist: 14 Write-Offs You Are Probably Missing

Freelancers overpay taxes. Not because they are bad at math. Because they do not know what is deductible.

Here are 14 deductions the self-employed routinely miss. Some are obvious. Some are not. All are legal and documented in IRS publications.

1. Home Office

If you use a portion of your home exclusively and regularly for business, you can deduct it. Two methods. The simplified method gives you $5 per square foot up to 300 square feet, for a maximum $1,500 deduction. The regular method uses actual expenses prorated by square footage percentage.

You do not need a separate room. A dedicated desk in a corner qualifies if it is used only for work.

2. Health Insurance Premiums

Self-employed individuals can deduct health, dental, and long-term care insurance premiums for themselves, their spouse, and dependents. This is an above-the-line deduction on Schedule 1. It reduces AGI directly. You do not need to itemize.

3. Self-Employment Tax Deduction

You can deduct half of your self-employment tax. SE tax is 15.3 percent on the first $176,100 of net earnings in 2026. Half of that is deductible as an adjustment to income.

4. Retirement Contributions

Solo 401(k) contributions. SEP IRA contributions. Traditional IRA contributions. All deductible. The solo 401(k) allows up to $69,000 in 2026, or $76,500 if you are 50 or older. This is the single largest deduction available to a self-employed person.

5. Business Insurance

General liability. Professional liability. Errors and omissions. Business property. All premiums are deductible.

6. Software and Subscriptions

Adobe Creative Cloud. Canva. Notion. QuickBooks. GitHub. Slack. Zoom. Every SaaS tool you use for work is a business expense. Annual subscriptions paid in full are deductible in the year paid.

7. Internet and Phone

If you use your internet and phone for business, you can deduct the business percentage. Track one month of usage honestly. If 40 percent of your data is client video calls and research, deduct 40 percent.

8. Continuing Education

Online courses. Conference tickets. Books. Certifications. The EA exam prep course. If it maintains or improves skills for your current business, it is deductible.

9. Bank and Payment Processing Fees

Stripe fees. PayPal fees. Square fees. Bank account monthly fees. Every percentage these platforms take is a business expense.

10. Office Supplies and Equipment

Printer paper. Ink. A second monitor. A standing desk. A new laptop. Equipment over $2,500 can often be deducted in full under Section 179 rather than depreciated over years.

11. Vehicle Expenses

If you drive for business (client meetings, not commuting), track your miles. For 2026, the standard mileage rate is 70 cents per mile. Or use actual expenses prorated by business use percentage.

12. Meals

Business meals are 50 percent deductible. You need the receipt with date, amount, vendor, and the business purpose noted. "Lunch with [name], discussed Q3 deliverables."

13. Advertising and Marketing

Website hosting. Domain registration. Google Ads. Business cards. Social media ad spend. All deductible.

14. Professional Services

Your EA or CPA. Your lawyer. Your bookkeeper. Fees paid for tax preparation and business advice are deductible.

Print this list. Keep it visible. Every time you pay for something, ask: is this for my business? If yes, log it. The difference between someone who deducts everything and someone who leaves money on the table. A system. Not knowledge.

Work with an Enrolled Agent who finds every deduction →