Do you taste wine for a living? If so, congratulations on winning the job lottery.
Unfortunately, it's not all sunshine and rosés. If you have freelance earnings from working as a sommelier, you have to file business taxes just like the rest of us.
Like most specialty trades, sommeliers are able to write off the cost of continuing education, which can be anything from wine tasting to a conference to joining a wine club. Use the tax guide below to figure out exactly what expenses you can count as business write-offs.
Schedule C, Box 27a
Write off what you pay for the Court of Master Sommeliers exams. That also goes for any study aids you buy while prepping for the test, from online courses to books.
Schedule C, Box 27a
Do you belong to GuildSomm? Access to their study guides, classes, and other resources help you level up as a wine professional, so they're tax-deductible.
Schedule C, Box 22
If you host a tasting, any wines you don't get reimbursed for count as a write-off!
Schedule C, Box 18
Deduct anything you buy for your office, like pens, binders, folders, printer ink, or a whiteboard.
Schedule C, Box 27a
Reference books you use for research or to hone your industry knowledge are write-offs.
Schedule C, Box 27a
If you attend a wine tasting event, you get to write off the cost of your ticket. Why? Because you're in the industry, it counts as work-related education.
You might drive around town to meet with a customer, sample a new wine, or attend a conference. Don't forget to write off 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.
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 wine and dine a client, or talk shop with a chef or fellow wine professional over entrées, you get to write off half of what you spend on the business meal.
Schedule C, Box 24b
If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it's a write-off!
Your job might take you to vineyards far and wide — not to mention out-of-town clients and wine industry events. As long as you're traveling for business purposes, the IRS allows you to deduct what you spend on lodging, transport, and even meals while you're en route.
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!
You're entitled to write off home office expenses if you regularly host tastings, prepare menus, or communicate with clients from a dedicated workstation at your place.
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!
