Photographers are used to seeing beauty in even the ugliest circumstances. But even we’ll admit, it can be hard to see the beauty in a tax return. Let’s turn that negative into a lushly colored print: There’s one simple trick that all freelance photographers can use, and it doesn’t require any time to develop.
Simply by using the everyday expenses you rack up for your business — from filming equipment to travel expenses getting to a location for a shoot and more — you can lower the exposure of your tax bill. Soon your savings will be as pretty as a picture!
Schedule C, Box 22
Your camera, tripods, lenses, and other equipment are all tax-deductible.
Schedule C, Box 18
Subscriptions and licenses for Photoshop, Lightroom, and other software can be deducted.
Schedule C, Box 20b
A studio or office space you rent to host photoshoots, develop film, or do other work is tax-deductible.
Schedule C, Box 27a
Courses you take to refine your skills or learn new techniques can be written off.
Schedule C, Box 22
Props you buy for photoshoots with clients are considered write-offs.
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
Ad campaigns on Google, Meta, TikTok, and more are all deductible on your taxes.
Schedule C, Box 18
Need somewhere to store photos and client docs? Write off your Dropbox account or external hard drive.
Schedule C, Box 8
Business cards with your contact information count as advertising expenses.
If you drive for work, like to meet with a client, drop off film, or head to a photo shoot, bring tax savings into focus by remembering to deduct 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.
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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.
If you meet with a model, agent, client, or fellow photographer at a restaurant to chat about an upcoming shoot or other work-related topics, you can write off the cost of your food or drinks.
Schedule C, Box 24b
If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it's a write-off!
If you get hired for a photoshoot in another city but are responsible for covering some of your own expenses, like transportation, hotel, or food, remember that you can deduct travel costs from 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!
A photograph is worth a thousand words — and your home office expenses might be worth a good amount in tax savings too! After all, you won't always be shooting on location. And the amount of time you spend editing photos, marketing your services, communicating with clients, and doing industry research from home certainly counts as work.
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!
