As a message therapist, your day is focused on physical and mental health — but what about your financial health? A well-maintained wallet is an important part of self care, and one of the easiest ways you can practice that is by reducing your tax bill.
Independent massage therapists can write off any ordinary business expense from their taxes, and we’ve made things even easier by putting all the best tax write-offs for message therapists in one place. So light some incense and prepare to be soothed, because these savings will relax even the tensest muscles.
Schedule C, Box 22
Massage tables, chairs, and linens are write-offs for you.
Schedule C, Box 22
Oils, lotions, stones, and other accessories used to give massages are deductible.
Schedule C, Box 23
Any required certifications or licensing fees can be deducted.
Schedule C, Box 20b
If you rent an office, studio, or room at a spa, that's a tax write-off.
Schedule C, Box 27a
Any dues for associations like the Audio Engineering Society are deductible.
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.
Schedule C, Box 17
Legal fees paid to set up your business or draw up paperwork are deductible.
Schedule C, Box 27a
Spotify, Pandora, or other music streaming services you use while with clients are write-offs.
If your business model includes making house calls, you likely spend a fair amount of time driving for work. Remember to write off your car-related expenses on your Schedule C!
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 head to a restaurant to chat about new findings in the massage therapy world with clients, coaches, or fellow massage therapists, it counts as a business expense.
Schedule C, Box 24b
If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it's a write-off!
When you take the train to another town to meet with a massage client or fly to an out-of-state industry conference or seminar, remember to write off your travel-related 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!
If you offer massage therapy from your home, you can of course deduct home office expenses on your taxes.
This also counts if you take care of administrative and business development work from home, such as booking appointments, marketing, and client development.
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!
