Is it tax deductible?

Home Office

✓ Yes, it's deductible

Yes, a home office is tax deductible if you use it regularly and exclusively for business. Learn the simplified and regu...

Business Meals

✓ Yes, 50% deductible

Yes, business meals are 50% tax deductible when directly related to your business. Learn the IRS rules, what counts, and...

Mileage

✓ Yes, it's deductible

Yes, business mileage is tax deductible. For 2025, the IRS standard mileage rate is 70 cents per mile. Learn the rules, ...

Health Insurance (Self-Employed)

✓ Yes, 100% deductible

Yes, self-employed individuals can deduct 100% of health insurance premiums. Learn how the self-employed health insuranc...

Cell Phone Bills

✓ Partially deductible

Yes, the business portion of your cell phone bill is tax deductible. Learn how to calculate your business use percentage...

Laptops & Computers

✓ Yes, it's deductible

Yes, a laptop used for business is tax deductible. You can deduct 100% under Section 179 or depreciate it over 5 years. ...

Internet

✓ Partially deductible

Yes, the business portion of your internet bill is tax deductible if you work from home or use it for business. Learn ho...

Clothing

✗ Generally not deductible

Generally no. Regular clothing is not tax deductible even if you wear it for work. Learn the narrow exceptions for unifo...

Client Gifts

✓ Yes, up to $25/person/year

Yes, business gifts are tax deductible up to $25 per person per year. Learn the IRS rules on client gifts, what counts, ...

Gym Membership

✗ Not deductible

No, gym memberships are generally not tax deductible for individuals or self-employed people. Learn the narrow exception...

Car Payments

⚡ Payments no, but interest may be deductible

No, car loan payments themselves aren't deductible. But you CAN deduct business mileage or the business-use portion of v...

Business Rent

✓ Yes, fully deductible

Yes, rent for a business space is fully tax deductible as an ordinary business expense. Learn the rules for offices, stu...

Software & Subscriptions

✓ Yes, fully deductible

Yes, software subscriptions used for business are fully tax deductible. Learn what qualifies and how to track SaaS expen...

Education & Training

✓ Yes, if business-related

Yes, business-related education is tax deductible if it maintains or improves skills for your current business. Learn wh...

Business Travel

✓ Yes, it's deductible

Yes, business travel expenses are tax deductible including flights, hotels, rental cars, and meals. Learn the IRS rules ...

Business Insurance

✓ Yes, fully deductible

Yes, business insurance premiums are fully tax deductible. Learn what types of insurance qualify and how to track them.

Professional Services

✓ Yes, for business services

Yes, fees paid to accountants, lawyers, and other professionals for business services are fully tax deductible. Learn th...

Advertising & Marketing

✓ Yes, fully deductible

Yes, advertising and marketing expenses are fully tax deductible for businesses. Learn what qualifies, from Facebook ads...

Startup Costs

✓ Yes, up to $5,000 in year one

Yes, up to $5,000 in startup costs can be deducted in your first year. Remaining costs are amortized over 15 years. Lear...

Retirement (SEP, Solo 401k)

✓ Yes, significant deductions available

Yes, self-employed retirement contributions (SEP IRA, Solo 401k) are tax deductible. Learn contribution limits and which...

Office Supplies

✓ Yes, fully deductible

Yes, office supplies used for business are fully tax deductible. Learn what counts, from pens and paper to cleaning supp...

Vehicle Depreciation

✓ Yes, with limits

Yes, you can depreciate a business vehicle over 5 years or use bonus depreciation. Learn the limits, Section 179, and lu...

Charitable Donations

⚡ Depends on business structure

It depends on your business structure. Sole proprietors deduct on Schedule A (personal). Corporations can deduct on the ...

Bank Fees

✓ Yes, fully deductible

Yes, bank fees on business accounts are fully tax deductible. Learn what qualifies, from monthly maintenance fees to mer...

Home Repairs

⚡ It depends

Generally no for personal homes. But if you have a home office or rental property, repairs to the business-use area may ...

Loan Interest

✓ Yes, fully deductible

Yes, interest on business loans is fully tax deductible. Learn the rules for bank loans, SBA loans, credit lines, and eq...

Standing Desks

✓ Yes, it's deductible

Yes, a standing desk is tax deductible if purchased for a home office or business workspace. Learn the rules for office ...

Parking Tickets & Fines

✗ Not deductible

No, parking tickets and fines are never tax deductible, even if you got the ticket during business travel. Learn what IS...

Coworking Spaces

✓ Yes, fully deductible

Yes, coworking space memberships are tax deductible as a business expense. Learn how to deduct WeWork, Regus, and other ...

Domain Names

✓ Yes, it's deductible

Yes, domain name registration and renewal fees are tax deductible as business expenses. Learn how to handle premium doma...

Podcast Equipment

✓ Yes, it's deductible

Yes, podcast equipment is tax deductible if used for business. Microphones, mixers, headphones, and editing software all...

Tips & Gratuities

✓ Yes, when business-related

Yes, tips paid during business activities are tax deductible. Learn the rules for tipping at business meals, travel, and...

HOA Fees (Rental)

✓ Yes, on rental property

Yes, HOA fees on rental property are fully tax deductible as a rental expense. Learn the rules for investment properties...

Pest Control

⚡ Depends on the property

It depends. Pest control on business or rental property is deductible. On your personal home, only the home office perce...

Security Cameras

✓ Yes, for business use

Yes, security cameras for a business location or rental property are tax deductible. Learn the rules for Ring, Arlo, and...

Postage & Shipping

✓ Yes, fully deductible

Yes, postage and shipping costs for business are fully tax deductible. Learn what counts, from USPS stamps to FedEx ship...

Work Boots & Safety Gear

✓ Yes, if safety/work-specific

Yes, work boots and safety gear required for your job are tax deductible. Steel-toe boots, hard hats, and protective equ...

Website Hosting

✓ Yes, fully deductible

Yes, website hosting fees are fully tax deductible as a business expense. Learn what qualifies, from shared hosting to c...

Moving Expenses

✗ Not deductible (2018-2025)

No, moving expenses are not tax deductible for most people (2018-2025). Active-duty military is the only exception. Lear...

Cameras & Photography Gear

✓ Yes, for business use

Yes, cameras and photography equipment are tax deductible when used for business. Learn the rules for photographers, con...

Tolls

✓ Yes, it's deductible

Yes, tolls paid during business travel are tax deductible, whether you use the standard mileage rate or actual expenses ...

Uniforms

✓ Yes, if work-specific

Yes, work uniforms are tax deductible if they're required for work and not suitable for everyday wear. Learn what counts...

Tools & Equipment

✓ Yes, fully deductible

Yes, tools and equipment used for business are tax deductible. Learn about Section 179, de minimis safe harbor, and depr...

Business Cards

✓ Yes, fully deductible

Yes, business cards are fully tax deductible as an advertising expense. Learn how to deduct printing, design, and relate...

Property Taxes (Rental)

✓ Yes, fully deductible

Yes, property taxes on rental property are fully tax deductible on Schedule E. No SALT cap applies to investment propert...

Snow Removal

✓ Yes, for business/rental

Yes, snow removal for a business location or rental property is tax deductible. Learn the rules for plowing, salting, an...

Hair & Makeup

✗ Generally not deductible

Generally no, unless you're a performer and the costs are for a specific performance. Learn the narrow exceptions for ac...

Union Dues

⚡ Self-employed yes, employees no

Not for employees (2018-2025). Self-employed individuals in a union or professional association can deduct dues on Sched...

Electric Vehicles

✓ Yes, but EV credit ended Sept 2025

Yes, electric vehicles used for business qualify for both the EV tax credit and business vehicle deductions. Learn how t...

Pet Expenses

✗ Generally not deductible

Generally no. Pet food, vet bills, and grooming are personal expenses. Learn the narrow exceptions for guard dogs, servi...

Airbnb (Business Travel)

✓ Yes, for business nights

Yes, Airbnb stays during business travel are tax deductible as lodging expenses. Learn the rules for business nights vs....

Foreign Transaction Fees

✓ Yes, on business charges

Yes, foreign transaction fees on business purchases are tax deductible. Learn how to track and deduct international busi...

Trademark Filing

✓ Yes, amortized over 15 years

Yes, trademark filing fees are deductible, but they're amortized over 15 years as a Section 197 intangible asset. Learn ...

Childcare

⚡ Not a deduction, but credits exist

Not as a business deduction, but the Child and Dependent Care Credit can reduce your taxes. Self-employed parents have a...

Music Streaming (Spotify, Apple Music)

✗ Usually not deductible

Generally no. A personal music subscription is not deductible. The exception: if music is essential to your business (gy...

Student Loan Interest

✓ Yes, up to $2,500/year

Yes, up to $2,500 of student loan interest is deductible per year as an above-the-line deduction. Learn the income limit...

Self-Employment Tax

Partial — employer half is deductible

Learn how the self-employment tax works, what rate you pay, and which portion is deductible on your federal return.

Simplified Home Office Method

Yes — $5/sq ft, max $1,500

Learn how the simplified home office deduction works, when to use it vs. the regular method, and how to calculate your d...

Meals vs. Entertainment

No — entertainment; Partial — meals (50%)

Understand the difference between business meals (50% deductible) and entertainment (0% deductible) and how to stay comp...

Vehicle Expenses

Yes — choose standard mileage or actual costs

Compare the standard mileage rate vs. actual expense method for deducting vehicle costs, and learn which saves you more.

Medical Expenses

Partial — above 7.5% of AGI threshold

Learn which medical expenses are deductible, the 7.5% AGI threshold, and how self-employed individuals can deduct health...

Mortgage Interest

Yes — with limits

Learn how to deduct mortgage interest on your primary home, rental properties, and home equity loans.

Business Use of Home

Yes — if used regularly and exclusively for business

Learn how to calculate and claim the business use of home deduction using the regular or simplified method.

State Income Tax

Yes — up to $40,000 SALT cap (OBBBA)

Learn how the SALT deduction works under the OBBBA ($40,000 cap for 2025), and whether your state income taxes are deduc...

Business Insurance

Yes — as a business expense

Learn which types of business insurance are deductible, including general liability, professional liability, and workers...

Home Improvements (Rental)

⚠ Depreciated, not deducted

Home improvements on rental property aren't directly deductible — they're depreciated over time. Learn the IRS rules for...

Continuing Education

✓ Yes, it's deductible

Yes, continuing education is tax deductible if it maintains or improves skills for your current business. Learn the IRS ...

Travel Meals

✓ Yes, 50% deductible

Yes, meals while traveling for business are 50% deductible. You can use actual costs or the IRS per diem rate. Learn the...

Coworking Membership

✓ Yes, fully deductible

Yes, coworking space memberships are fully tax deductible as a business expense if used for business. Learn how to deduc...

Software Subscriptions

✓ Yes, fully deductible

Yes, software subscriptions used for business are fully tax deductible. SaaS, cloud tools, and apps all count. Learn the...

Equipment Depreciation

✓ Yes, it's deductible

Yes, business equipment can be depreciated or fully expensed under Section 179 or bonus depreciation. Learn how deprecia...

Business Phone

✓ Yes, it's deductible

Yes, a dedicated business phone line is fully tax deductible. Personal cell phone bills are partially deductible for bus...

Professional Development

✓ Yes, fully deductible

Yes, professional development costs are tax deductible for self-employed individuals. Conferences, coaching, books, and ...

Home Warranty

⚠ Only on rental property

A home warranty is NOT tax deductible on your personal home. But on a rental property, it IS deductible as an operating ...

Crypto Losses

✓ Yes, as capital losses

Yes, cryptocurrency losses are tax deductible as capital losses. You can offset gains and deduct up to $3,000 per year a...

Vehicle Registration

⚠ Partially deductible

Parts of your vehicle registration may be tax deductible. The ad valorem (value-based) portion qualifies as a personal p...

Business Gifts

✓ Yes, up to $25/person

Yes, business gifts are tax deductible — but limited to $25 per person per year. Learn what counts, the exceptions, and ...

Bad Debt

⚠ Depends on accounting method

Yes, business bad debt is tax deductible when a client doesn't pay their invoice. Learn the rules for writing off uncoll...

Storage Unit

✓ Yes, for business use

Yes, a storage unit is tax deductible if used to store business inventory, equipment, or supplies. Personal storage is n...

Website Expenses

✓ Yes, fully deductible

Yes, website expenses are tax deductible — hosting, domains, design, development, and maintenance are all business expen...

Tax Preparation Fees

⚠ Business portion only

Tax preparation fees for your business return (Schedule C) are deductible. Personal tax prep fees are no longer deductib...

Business Lunches

✓ Yes, 50% deductible

Yes, business lunches are 50% tax deductible when there's a business purpose. Learn the rules, documentation requirement...

Casualty & Theft Losses

⚠ Limited (personal) / Yes (business)

Personal casualty losses are only deductible if caused by a federally declared disaster. Business casualty losses are al...

HSA Contributions

✓ Yes, above-the-line deduction

Yes, HSA contributions are tax deductible — even if you don't itemize. Learn 2026 limits, eligibility rules, and the tri...

Section 179 Deduction

Yes — for qualifying business assets

Learn how Section 179 lets you deduct the full cost of qualifying equipment and software in the year you buy it, instead...

Bonus Depreciation

Yes — for qualifying new and used assets

Understand bonus depreciation rules, how they differ from Section 179, and how to deduct 100% of qualifying asset costs ...

Estimated Tax Payments

No — federal; Partial — state/local

Learn whether estimated tax payments are deductible, how quarterly payments work, and how to avoid underpayment penaltie...

1099 Requirements

Required when you pay contractors $600+

Learn when you need to issue a 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC, filing deadlines, and penalties for not filing.

FICA Taxes

Partial — self-employed can deduct half

Learn whether FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare) are deductible for employees and self-employed individuals.

Rental Property Depreciation

Yes — required for rental properties

Learn how to depreciate rental property over 27.5 years, what's included in the cost basis, and how depreciation recaptu...

QBI Deduction (199A)

Yes — up to 20% of qualified business income

Learn how the Qualified Business Income deduction works, who qualifies, and how to calculate your 20% pass-through deduc...

Capital Gains Tax

Taxed at preferential rates if held 1+ year

Understand short-term vs. long-term capital gains tax rates, how to calculate your gains, and strategies to minimize cap...

1031 Exchange

Tax deferral — not a deduction

Learn how 1031 like-kind exchanges let you defer capital gains and depreciation recapture taxes when selling investment ...

LLC Tax Deductions

Yes — all ordinary and necessary business expenses

Complete guide to LLC tax deductions including startup costs, operating expenses, and the QBI deduction for LLC owners.

Hobby vs. Business

It depends — must show profit intent

Learn how the IRS distinguishes a hobby from a business, why it matters for deductions, and how to prove your activity i...