Hi Guys,
Since I do my own taxes with Turbotax, I want to make sure I don’t miss any “small item tax write-offs” that add up a lot… The program does all the major ones, but there are always small ones that I forget… I am putting together a list and feel free to add to it to share with everyone including myself…
Top Business Expenses for Tax Deductions:
Home office expense
office supplies
Business Insurance costs
Advertising - internet directories, car magnets, business cards, flyers, etc.
Equipment - computer supplies, hardware, programs, software, etc. etc. cameras, batteries, etc.
Associations, NACHI, etc.
Hi Speed Cable modem access, required for business… (internet connection) Not sure if this one qualifies… but Partial Cable TV for learning shows such as Home TV, House Detective, etc. etc. ?!?
Vehicle expenses, depreciation and mileage expenses
Business meals / 50% off.
Postage, PO BOX, taxes or fees… toll road fees
Books, publications, etc.
Cell phone calls… plan, etc.
Dry cleaning of shirts
These are all the ones I could think of…Am I missing any??? Please add in your replies.
Paypal charges if you offer paypal via your web site.
Expenses for clothing.
The portion of your personal auto policy for business use of the auto.
(if you knew to list it as being used for partial business use)
Forget the cable TV its not a valid deduction IMO
Vehicle mileage but not mileage plus depreciation as I understand it.
Business meals do not include lunch each day, only when traveling for training or meetings.
The home office deduction is only allowed if the room is 100% business use only.
One needs to use care when including clothing. Every day clothing could easily be disallowed. If you buy favorate shirt to use as a uniform, it’s best to buy at least about 5 of the exact same shirt at one time.
Take the % of the house that the home office is and all the utileties and repairs are deductable, either milage or gal $'s, not both, computer, tablet, Pda, all dues such as NACHI etc.
Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I thought the vehicle mileage allowance was instead of deducting gas, maintenance and repairs and had nothing to do with depreciation.
Since I use a personally owned (long paid for) vehicle I deduct the mileage rather than actual costs and come out ahead. Now that might be different if I could not deduct depreciation (or do a Ch 179) on a new vehicle.
Gerry,
I think that is filed under entertainment expenses.
I have known some to write it as an office expense right along with the pop corn and candy bars for the office break room.
Back when I was a Remodeling contractor I went to a conferance, the speaker was talking about taxes and claimed that he would charge his company to store his “extra” art work at the office, at which time it would become an office expense.
Happy Holidays
Remember it you deduct your home office, you will need to claim that as income when you sell you home. Check with your accountant on that. I do not claim my office.
As for the car, you can claim one or the other, but not both. I claim mileage, as that gives me the higher deduction. With the price of gas rising, that could change. It all depends on how many miles you drive.