Does the thought of filing your self-employment taxes leave you crawling with stress? It's natural if you need to turn to a soothing cup of tea or other creature comforts to get through the process.
But helping you save money on your taxes isn't just a pet project for us — it's our full-time focus! Starting with this list of tax write-offs for veterinarians and other vet professionals. Bookmark this page to ensure you save the lion's share on your taxes.
Schedule C, Box 23
Fees to get or renew your license to perform your work are fully deductible.
Schedule C, Box 15
Insurance premiums to protect you from malpractice suits can be written off.
Schedule C, Box 20b
If you rent an office to see patients, you can write this off.
Schedule C, Box 18
Deduct anything you buy for your office, like pens, binders, folders, printer ink, or a whiteboard.
Schedule C, Box 22
Write off the protective gear, like goggles and gloves, you wear while performing electrical work.
Schedule C, Box 22
Flags, flares, and other tools or equipment used to direct traffic are deductible.
Schedule C, Box 22
Any pet food you buy for the animals you're taking care of counts as a write-off.
Schedule C, Box 22
Leashes, litter boxes, beds, and other supplies for pets are considered write-offs.
Schedule C, Box 22
Toys you buy to play with the animals you watch, train, or groom are all tax-deductible.
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From veterinary technicians to office managers, you might need a staff to help you run your practice. Their salaries can be written off.
Schedule C, Box 14
If you have employees, you'll spend money to take care of them with health insurance and other benefits. Write off what you pay for these programs.
Schedule C, Box 8
Print and online advertising costs for your business are considered write-offs.
Schedule C, Box 8
Squarespace, Wix, GoDaddy, and other website service fees are fully tax-deductible.
Schedule C, Box 18
Write off the tools you use to create assets, schedule posts, or pull analytics.
Schedule C, Box 17
Do you pay a professional to audit your financial records and take care of your tax planning? Their fees are a write-off.
Filing self-employment taxes might feel like a whole other animal, but remember that as a freelance veterinary technician, you can now benefit from tax write-offs.
For instance, if you drive your car to make house calls (say, to a farm or zoo), pick up supplies, or for other work-related matters, you can write off 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!
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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.
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.
As a rule of thumb, dining expenses can be written off if they're incurred for work purposes.
Like meeting a (human) client or fellow vet technician to talk about an animal in your car.
Schedule C, Box 24b
If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it's a write-off!
If there's an out-of-town veterinary conference, seminar, or other work-related events you want to attend, rest assured you can write off travel expenses.
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!
Manage your practice's social media or conduct industry research from your desk at home? You're probably eligible to claim home office deductions. That's true even if you see clients in a dedicated office outside your home.
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!
