23 Tax Write-Offs for Models
NAICS business codeYour NAICS business code is a six-digit string of numbers that shows the type of work your business does. NAICS stands for North American Industry Classification System. When you do your taxes, you'll enter it in Box B of your Schedule C.711510
Reviewed bySabrina Wiechart, CPASabrina is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with over 15 years of experience in tax preparation, planning, and S-Corp compliance. She holds a Master’s in Accounting and specializes in helping self-employed individuals make smart tax decisions. Sabrina is passionate about simplifying the S-Corp process and making sure every client keeps more of what they earn.Modeling seems easy to some people, but that’s only because you make it look that way. The truth is that it requires a lot of time, discipline, and, of course, expenses. From makeup and clothes to travel costs to get to the photo shoot locations, it’s not cheap to look this good. But did you know those same expenses can actually save you money come tax time?
As an independent model, you’re entitled to write off all your business expenses on your taxes. And we’ve put together the perfect backdrop to get you started, by listing all the best write-offs for models in one place so you can strut your stuff all the way to the bank!
You can write off makeup, nail, and haircare services if they're required for a gig.
Enhancing and learning new skills through acting or modeling classes is deductible.
This covers training that maintains or improves skills for the work you already do. Courses that qualify you for a new trade or profession are not deductible.
Commission fees you pay for agency representation are fully deductible.
Any equipment you use to shoot promotional tapes, portraits, and more can be written off.
Individual items under roughly $2,500 can be expensed up front under the de minimis safe harbor instead.
Getting professional headshots done to book acting and model gigs can be written off.
Your phone, its monthly bill, and accessories are all partially deductible, in proportion to business use. The phone itself is depreciated on Box 13 (or expensed under Section 179); the monthly bill belongs on Box 27b, and accessories on Box 22.
Subscriptions and licenses for Photoshop, Lightroom, and other software can be deducted.
Wardrobe and costume pieces bought for a specific shoot are deductible, as long as they aren't suitable for everyday wear.
Printing comp cards and portfolio books to promote yourself is an advertising write-off.
Protecting yourself and your business with liability insurance? It's a write-off.
If you belong to a union, go ahead and write off your dues . The share of your dues that goes toward lobbying isn't deductible — your organization can tell you what percentage that is.
Where a union spends part of your dues on lobbying, that portion is not deductible.
The cut Stripe, PayPal, Square or your invoicing platform takes on each payment is a write-off.
If you drive for work ...
It's not surprising it's called a "go-see" — models spend a lot of time going to and from casting calls and photo shoots. If you drive to either of those, or classes, client meetings, or agent appointments, go ahead and write off your car expenses.
Parking for a meeting downtown, or any other work trip, is tax-deductible!
A toll while driving to or from a work destination is tax-deductible!
If you buy a new car, you can write off part of the cost every year for five years.
Flashlights, tire iron, duct tape, and other tools you may need in your vehicle are deductible.
Car insurance monthly fees, registration, even roadside assistance are partially deductible — if you use the actual expense method. The standard mileage rate already covers them.
Oil changes, repairs, and regular checkups are deductible if you use the actual expense method. Take the standard mileage rate instead and they're already baked into your per-mile deduction.
If you discuss work at a restaurant ...
Grabbing lunch to chat about modeling or the fashion industry with fellow models, clients, or agents counts as a business expense you can write off. That includes both food and drinks!
If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it's a write-off — 50% of the tab.
If you leave town for work ...
If you have to travel for work to attend an on-location shoot or meeting with an out-of-town client, feel free to deduct your travel expenses.
Planes, trains, and car rentals are all work-related travel costs that can be written off.
When you travel for work, lodging expenses such as hotel rooms or Airbnb are write-offs.
When you're traveling for work, your meals are 50% deductible — takeout included. (Long-haul truck drivers subject to DOT hours-of-service rules can deduct 80%.)
If you work from home ...
If you work from home on personal branding, marketing and advertising, or practicing your modeling skills, you can deduct home office expenses from your taxes.
A desk, chairs, lamps, and other home office necessities are all tax write-offs. Anything over about $2,500 gets depreciated on Form 4562 instead of written off all at once.
Repairs just for your home office are 100% deductible. Repairs to the rest of your home count too, prorated by your business-use percentage on Form 8829.
Gotta keep the lights on in your home office! A portion of your electricity bill counts.
Whether it's rental or homeowners insurance, you can write off a portion through your home office deduction.
It'd be hard to work in an office without running water, huh? Your water bill counts.
You need internet to do your job! If you claim a home office, deduct it prorated on Form 8829 along with your other utilities. Internet you pay for on the road, purely for work, is 100% deductible.
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