24 Tax Write-Offs for Notaries and Signing Agents
NAICS business codeYour NAICS business code is a six-digit string of numbers that shows the type of work your business does. NAICS stands for North American Industry Classification System. When you do your taxes, you'll enter it in Box B of your Schedule C.541100
Reviewed bySabrina Wiechart, CPASabrina is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with over 15 years of experience in tax preparation, planning, and S-Corp compliance. She holds a Master’s in Accounting and specializes in helping self-employed individuals make smart tax decisions. Sabrina is passionate about simplifying the S-Corp process and making sure every client keeps more of what they earn.Notaries and signing agents are used to dealing with official forms, but let’s be real. The IRS tax forms can be a lot more complicated than what you normally deal with — and so are the rules they deal with.
For instance, you probably know that you don't have to pay self-employment tax on any fees you receive as a notary public. But you still have to pay income taxes on those fees. And if you also earn money as a signing agent, you're on the hook for self-employment taxes for that income.
It's enough to make anyone dizzy. But that’s okay — deep breath.
Here at Keeper, we’ve found an easy way for you to save money on your tax bill from the IRS — income and self-employed. Just write off all the business expenses you incur as a notary or signing agent, and you’ll be able to save money.
If you still want help with your taxes, give our app a try, or send us your questions at support@keepertax.com. Now that’s something to give your seal of approval.
Fees to renew your license to perform your work are fully deductible.
Deduct anything you buy for your office, like pens, binders, folders, printer ink, or a whiteboard.
Software you use for invoicing, tracking expenses, creating timesheets, and so on is deductible.
Continuing education classes required to keep your job are fully deductible.
This covers training that maintains or improves skills for the work you already do. Courses that qualify you for a new trade or profession are not deductible.
Business cards with your contact information count as advertising expenses.
Your phone, its monthly bill, and accessories are all partially deductible, in proportion to business use. The phone itself is depreciated on Box 13 (or expensed under Section 179); the monthly bill belongs on Box 27b, and accessories on Box 22.
E&O insurance keeps your business protected. You're allowed to write it off on your taxes — plus any other insurance you buy for work.
Do you pay membership dues to the National Notary Association, or any other professional orgs? You can write off those fees.
The share of your dues that goes toward lobbying isn't deductible — your organization can tell you what percentage that is.
Your notary seal, stamp, journal and thumbprint pads are the tools of the trade — all deductible.
Subscriptions to remote online notarization platforms like Notarize, DocVerify or Proof are write-offs.
If your state requires you to carry a bond to hold your license, the premium is deductible.
If you drive for work ...
If you drive for purposes related to your notary business, like to meet with a client or pick up office supplies, you can claim vehicle expenses.
Parking for a meeting downtown, or any other work trip, is tax-deductible!
A toll while driving to or from a work destination is tax-deductible!
If you buy a new car, you can write off part of the cost every year for five years.
Flashlights, tire iron, duct tape, and other tools you may need in your vehicle are deductible.
Car insurance monthly fees, registration, even roadside assistance are partially deductible — if you use the actual expense method. The standard mileage rate already covers them.
Oil changes, repairs, and regular checkups are deductible if you use the actual expense method. Take the standard mileage rate instead and they're already baked into your per-mile deduction.
If you discuss work at a restaurant ...
Dining with clients and other notaries to discuss your work is a business expense and can be deducted.
If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it's a write-off — 50% of the tab.
If you leave town for work ...
Attending an industry conference or seminar for notaries in another city? Go ahead and write off your travel expenses.
Planes, trains, and car rentals are all work-related travel costs that can be written off.
When you travel for work, lodging expenses such as hotel rooms or Airbnb are write-offs.
When you're traveling for work, your meals are 50% deductible — takeout included. (Long-haul truck drivers subject to DOT hours-of-service rules can deduct 80%.)
If you work from home ...
Having a designated at-home workspace where you regularly work on client development, attend virtual meetings, or conduct industry research is enough to let you claim the home office deduction.
A desk, chairs, lamps, and other home office necessities are all tax write-offs. Anything over about $2,500 gets depreciated on Form 4562 instead of written off all at once.
Repairs just for your home office are 100% deductible. Repairs to the rest of your home count too, prorated by your business-use percentage on Form 8829.
Gotta keep the lights on in your home office! A portion of your electricity bill counts.
Whether it's rental or homeowners insurance, you can write off a portion through your home office deduction.
It'd be hard to work in an office without running water, huh? Your water bill counts.
You need internet to do your job! If you claim a home office, deduct it prorated on Form 8829 along with your other utilities. Internet you pay for on the road, purely for work, is 100% deductible.
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