As a housekeeper, you’re used to keeping things spick and span — but do you apply that same attention to detail to your taxes? What if we told you that you can lower your tax bill just by claiming the everyday sort of business expenses you already pay for?
That’s right: with just the tiniest bit of elbow grease, you can write off everything from cleaning products to new business cards and beyond. Time to make your tax return sparkle!
Schedule C, Box 22
Write off everything you use to clean, including sprays, rags, soap, and more.
Schedule C, Box 22
Cleaning equipment like vacuums, carpet cleaners, and steamers can be written off.
Schedule C, Box 8
Business cards, brochures, service menus, and flyers promoting your business are deductible.
Schedule C, Box 8
Squarespace, Wix, GoDaddy, and other website service fees are fully tax-deductible.
Schedule C, Box 8
Print and online advertising costs for your business are considered write-offs.
Schedule C, Box 27a
Part of your actual phone's cost, monthly phone bill, and any accessories you use for work can be written off.
You can write off car expenses if you need to drive for work. For instance, a cleaner or housekeeper might need to drive to and from clients' homes or to pick up cleaning supplies.
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.
If you visit a restaurant to talk about your business or to establish a relationship with a potential client, it's considered a business meal and can be claimed on your taxes. This also includes grabbing food or drink with accountants, vendors, mentors, and fellow cleaners or housekeepers.
Schedule C, Box 24b
If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it's a write-off!
If you book transportation or accommodations to attend a work-related event such as an industry conference, feel free to write off your travel expenses.
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!
Scheduling appointments, working on attention-grabbing ways to market your services, and working on client development are all tasks a cleaner or housekeeper might do from home. Because these are all essential to your business and you work on them from home, you can write off a portion of 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!
