If you're a self-employed janitor or custodian, you know the value of cleanliness. But do you take the same level of care to polish up your tax bill? You may think it’s a dirty job, but it actually takes no elbow grease at all!
From cleaning supplies to dry cleaning bills for your uniforms, you can write off all the ordinary business expenses you encounter as an independent janitor. This also goes if you take on janitorial jobs through a platform like Taskrabbit or Wonolo. It’s as easy as taking out the trash.
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 27a
Any uniforms you're required to wear on the job are considered tax-deductible.
Schedule C, Box 27a
If you need to get your uniform professionally dry cleaned, you can write it off.
Schedule C, Box 21
Any maintenance or repairs needed for your equipment to operate are fully 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.
If you drive a car for work (even for small errands such as picking up cleaning supplies), you can write off a portion of your car expenses.
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.
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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.
You can write off a portion of the cost on your taxes if you meet with a potential client at a restaurant to chat about your services, or with a fellow custodian to refer them to a job platform or share marketing insights.
Schedule C, Box 24b
If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it's a write-off!
If you meet with a potential client at a restaurant to chat about your services or with a fellow janitor to share industry insights, you can write off a portion of the cost on 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!
If you do at least some of your janitorial work from a dedicated workstation at home, like conducting industry research or managing finances and paperwork, remember that a portion of your home office expenses will be deductible.
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!
