Beekeeping is a delicate balance: keeping the temperature just right, making sure the hive is free of disease and parasites, protecting their valuable honey from sneaky bears and other predators. It’s understandable why you might not want to even think about taxes after that, but it’s a sad reality for us worker drones.
Fortunately, there’s an easy way to sweeten your tax bill! By claiming the ordinary expenses you run into all the time as you repair hives, replace your smoker, or buy new ice packs for your stings, you can significantly lower what you owe on your taxes. Now that’s something to buzz about!
Schedule C, Box 38 (COGS)
Any supplies needed to keep your colonies alive and flourishing are write-offs.
Schedule C, Box 13
Each year you can deduct the depreciation on equipment like your cameras and lenses.
Schedule C, Box 21
Any maintenance or repairs needed for your equipment to operate are fully deductible
Schedule C, Box 27a
Bubble mailers, boxes, tissue paper and more: anything you buy to ship customer orders is a write-off.
Schedule C, Box 38 (COGS)
Equipment like extractors to get honey or beeswax are fully deductible.
Schedule C, Box 22
Bottles and cans to package your beer can be deducted from your taxes.
Schedule C, Box 27a
Classes you take to enhance your skills after getting your license are tax write-offs.
Schedule C, Box 22
Safety equipment, like goggles and masks, can be deducted.
Beekeeping is busy work. If your work finds you driving to relocate hives or pick up supplies, remember that car-related expenses can be written off your taxes.
Schedule C, Box 27a
Parking for a meeting downtown, or any other work trip, is tax-deductible!
Schedule C, Box 27a
A toll while driving to or from a work destination is tax-deductible!
Schedule C, Box 13
If you buy a new car, you can write off part of the cost every year for five years.
Schedule C, Box 22
Flashlights, tire iron, duct tape, and other tools you may need in your vehicle are deductible.
Schedule C, Box 15
Car insurance monthly fees, registration, even roadside assistance are partially deductible.
Schedule C, Box 9
Oil changes, repairs, and regular checkups are all tax-deductible if you drive for work.
As long as the conversation centers around work, the IRS lets you write off the cost of grabbing food or drinks with potential partners or fellow beekeepers.
Schedule C, Box 24b
If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it's a write-off!
If work-related events take you out of town, like a beehive relocation or an industry conference, you can deduct your travel expenses from your taxes.
Schedule C, Box 24a
Planes, trains, and car rentals are all work-related travel costs that can be written off.
Schedule C, Box 24a
When you travel for work, lodging expenses such as hotel rooms or Airbnb are write offs.
Schedule C, Box 24a
When you're traveling for work, all meals are tax-deductible. Even takeout!
There are a (honey)bunch of work responsibilities a beekeeper might take care of remotely: setting up beehive storage, conducting industry research, or managing finances and paperwork. Don't forget to write off your home office expenses!
Schedule C, Box 18
A desk, chairs, lamps, and other home office necessities are all tax write-offs.
Schedule C, Box 21
You can write off up to $2,500 for individual repairs to your property.
Form 8829
Gotta keep the lights on in your home office! A portion of your electricity bill counts.
Form 8829
Whether it's rental or homeowners insurance, you can write off a portion through your home office deduction.
Form 8829
It'd be hard to work in an office without running water, huh? You water bill counts.
Schedule C, Box 25
Your Comcast bill is a tax write-off. You need internet to do your job!
