Free printable resource · no email required

10 Most Missed Freelancer Tax Deductions

Use this as a review sheet before you hand numbers to tax software or a tax professional. A category is not automatically deductible: expenses generally need to be ordinary, necessary, business-related, and supported by records.

Get the Freelancer Tax Workbook — $9

The 10-category review

Home office: A space may qualify when it is used exclusively and regularly for business. Compare the simplified method with the regular method; keep square footage and expense records.
Business mileage: Client visits, supply runs, and other qualifying business trips need a timely mileage log. Commuting is generally personal; never mix personal miles into the business total.
Health insurance: Self-employed health-insurance deductions have eligibility and income limitations. Keep premium statements and coordinate with any employer coverage or household tax situation.
Phone and internet: Track the reasonable business-use portion rather than automatically claiming the entire household bill. Save bills and a defensible allocation method.
Software and subscriptions: Invoicing, design, hosting, cloud tools, and other business subscriptions are easy to lose in recurring charges. Export an annual transaction list and remove personal tools.
Payment and banking fees: Card processing, marketplace, business-account, and payment-platform fees may be separate from the client payment. Reconcile gross receipts to deposits and fees.
Professional services: Bookkeeping, tax preparation, legal, contract, and specialist fees can be scattered across email and card statements. Save invoices and note the business purpose.
Education and certifications: Training that maintains or improves skills used in the current business may qualify; education that prepares you for a new trade can be treated differently. Keep syllabus, receipt, and business connection.
Retirement contributions: SEP IRA, solo 401(k), and similar contributions have different rules, limits, and deadlines. Record the account type, contribution date, and calculation used.
Advertising and startup costs: Website work, launch promotion, portfolio materials, and business-opening costs may have different treatment. Separate ongoing advertising from pre-opening costs and keep vendor invoices.

Turn the list into an audit-ready folder

For each category	Write down	Evidence to collect
□ Business purpose	What business activity did this support?	Invoice, contract, project note, or trip purpose
□ Amount and date	Annual total and payment date	Receipt, statement, or exported transaction
□ Allocation	Business percentage or method used	Calculation, mileage log, square footage, or usage notes
□ Tax-year check	Which return year does it belong to?	Year-labeled folder and a note for unusual items

Need a place to track it all?

The Freelancer Tax Workbook adds printable deduction, income, mileage, home-office, quarterly-payment, and year-end summary worksheets. It is a record-keeping aid—not tax filing software or individualized advice.

Get the Workbook — $9 Instant Download

Tax note: This checklist is educational and uses broad categories. Rules vary by tax year and situation, including entity type, state, income, reimbursement, mixed-use assets, and filing status. Confirm current IRS guidance and ask a qualified tax professional before claiming a deduction.