22 Tax Write-Offs for Independent Sommeliers

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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.

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Exam fees & prep
Write it off using:

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.

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GuildSomm fees
Write it off using:

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.

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Tasting expenses
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 22

If you host a tasting, any wines you don't get reimbursed for count as a write-off!

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Office supplies
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 18

Deduct anything you buy for your office, like pens, binders, folders, printer ink, or a whiteboard.

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Reference books
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

Reference books you use for research or to hone your industry knowledge are write-offs.

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Wine tastings
Write it off using:

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.

If you drive for work ...

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!

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Parking
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

Parking for a meeting downtown, or any other work trip, is tax-deductible!

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Tolls
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

A toll while driving to or from a work destination is tax-deductible!

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Car purchase & depreciation
Write it off using:

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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Vehicle tool kit
Write it off using:

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 & registration
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 15

Car insurance monthly fees, registration, even roadside assistance are partially deductible.

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Car maintenance
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 9

Oil changes, repairs, and regular checkups are all tax-deductible if you drive for work.

If you discuss work at a restaurant ...

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.

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Business meals
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 24b

If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it's a write-off!

If you leave town for work ...

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.

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Transportation
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 24a

Planes, trains, and car rentals are all work-related travel costs that can be written off.

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Travel lodging
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 24a

When you travel for work, lodging expenses such as hotel rooms or Airbnb are write offs.

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Meals while traveling
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 24a

When you're traveling for work, all meals are tax-deductible. Even takeout!

If you work from home ...

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.

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Home office furniture
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 18

A desk, chairs, lamps, and other home office necessities are all tax write-offs.

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Property repairs
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 21

You can write off up to $2,500 for individual repairs to your property.

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Power bill
Write it off using:

Form 8829

Gotta keep the lights on in your home office! A portion of your electricity bill counts.

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Property insurance
Write it off using:

Form 8829

Whether it's rental or homeowners insurance, you can write off a portion through your home office deduction.

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Water bill
Write it off using:

Form 8829

It'd be hard to work in an office without running water, huh? You water bill counts.

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Wi-Fi bill
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 25

Your Comcast bill is a tax write-off. You need internet to do your job!