Let’s face it, you probably got into interior design to express yourself, not worry about your taxes. But did you know you can save significantly at tax time if you arrange your write-offs correctly?
It’s true! As an interior designer, you can write off any ordinary business expense from your taxes. Whether it’s design software or swatch samples, these everyday purchases you make to help your clients’ homes look beautiful can also make your wallet shine. Now that’s good feng shui!
Schedule C, Box 18
Write off fees for software used to design interiors for clients, like Infurnia and Autodesk.
Schedule C, Box 27a
Reference books you use for research or to hone your industry knowledge are write-offs.
Schedule C, Box 27a
Any subscriptions to trade journals related to your industry are considered tax write-offs.
Schedule C, Box 18
Software you use for invoicing, tracking expenses, creating timesheets, and so on is deductible.
Schedule C, Box 18
Deduct anything you buy for your office, like pens, binders, folders, printer ink, or a whiteboard.
Schedule C, Box 36 (COGS)
If you have to keep inventory of products or samples, you can write these off.
Schedule C, Box 11
Freelancers, contractors, or other services that help you run your business are tax-deductible.
Schedule C, Box 11
If you need to hire an editor, designer, photographer, or other creative pro, write off what you pay them.
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.
If you drive for work, like to scope out furniture or art pieces or to visit worksites, you can claim car-related tax write-offs.
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.
Self-employed interior designers can partially claim food or drink expenses if it's to talk about business with a client, supplier, mentor, or fellow designer.
Schedule C, Box 24b
If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it's a write-off!
On a business trip, such as meeting with an out-of-town client or attending an interior design conference, you can deduct the cost of travel to your destination, as well as lodging and meals.
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 work from home out of necessity or by design — on things like client development, industry research, design briefs, or virtual meetings — you can deduct home office expenses from your taxes.
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!
