Lots of people dream of following their passion for travel, fashion, or food by turning it into a full-fledged job. As a blogger, you're one of the few who's actually making it work.
But if you've been at it this for a while, that dream comes with a nasty wakeup call at tax time. That's right: you'll have to pay taxes on what you earn.
Luckily, you can write off lots of expenses to keep more of your blogging income in your pocket.
Schedule C, Box 27a
If buy a phone or laptop and use it for work, it's partially deductible.
Schedule C, Box 18
Writing tools like Grammarly and Hemingway are tax-deductible. So are word processors like Scrivener and transcription software for interviews.
Schedule C, Box 8
Squarespace, Wix, GoDaddy, and other website service fees are fully tax-deductible.
Schedule C, Box 8
Ad campaigns on Google, Meta, TikTok, and more are all deductible on your taxes.
Schedule C, Box 27a
Databases, apps, and other tools used to research a topic you're writing about can be written off.
Schedule C, Box 27a
Newspaper or magazine subscriptions used for work-related research can be written off.
Schedule C, Box 8
If you host a contest for your followers, make sure to write off the prizes you give away.
Schedule C, Box 18
Deduct anything you buy for your office, like pens, binders, folders, printer ink, or a whiteboard.
Schedule C, Box 18
Computers, extra monitors, webcams, and microphones needed to teach are write-offs.
Schedule C, Box 18
Write off any email marketing software like Mailchimp or ActiveCampaign.
Schedule C, Box 11
Do you pay freelance writers to contribute blog posts? That money is tax-deductible!
As a blogger, you'll have plenty of reasons to take the wheel for work purposes. For example, you might find yourself driving in search of things — or people — to write about, or hop in your car to meet up with sponsors, contributors, or fellow bloggers. All of that means you get to write off a portion of your car expenses, from gas to repairs.
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.
Do you ever grab lunch with advertisers, folks in the industry, or creatives you work with? Those are business meals, and you get to write off 50% of what you spend on them.
Schedule C, Box 24b
If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it's a write-off!
Even if you're not a travel blogger, your work might take you far from home — attending conventions, taking workshops, or introducing your readers to cool stuff you can't get in your hometown. As long as you're traveling for work, you can write off what you spend on airfare, hotels, and more.
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!
Whether you're writing every blog post yourself, or managing a big team of staff writers, odds are decent that you can WFH. That means you get to write off a portion of everything you spend on your living space, from your rent to your Wi-Fi.
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!
