You likely decided to become a freelance tattoo artist because you're creative and enjoy working with people. It probably wasn't because the idea of filing self-employment taxes fills you with joy.
The good news is, freelancers and business owners like you can write off business expenses necessary for their business. These can include anything from the cost of tattoo supplies to an art magazine subscription that inspires your designs.
So if you get expense-tracking down to a fine art (say, with the help of an app like Keeper), you'll be sure to find the process of filing your return less stressful thanks to all your tax savings. Let's go through even more examples.
Schedule C, Box 22
Write off everything you use to for tattooing, including needles, ink, disinfectant, and more.
Schedule C, Box 27a
Write off fees for training and the certifications you need to work as a tattoo artist.
Schedule C, Box 27a
Lights, backdrops, and other supplies you use to film are considered tax write-offs.
Schedule C, Box 20b
If you rent a studio or office, you can write it off.
Schedule C, Box 27a
Subscriptions to industry-relevant magazines or newsletters are considered tax write-offs.
Schedule C, Box 8
Squarespace, Wix, GoDaddy, and other website service fees are fully tax-deductible.
Schedule C, Box 8
Print and online advertising costs for your business are considered write-offs.
Schedule C, Box 18
Write off the tools you use to create assets, schedule posts, or pull analytics.
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 27a
If buy a phone or laptop and use it for work, it's partially deductible.
If you drive to and from studios or to pick up tattoo supplies, you can claim car 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 meet a client over food or drink to talk about a tattoo they're hoping you to work on, go ahead and write off the business meal.
Schedule C, Box 24b
If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it's a write-off!
Going to an out-of-town tattoo convention or masterclass? Write off your travel costs.
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 do at least some of your work from a dedicated home workstation, like coming up with new tattoo designs, working on client development, or managing your professional social media, don't forget to claim home office write-offs.
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!
