NAICS code: 711510
Whether you are a freelance journalist, an independent author, or a content writer for a site, writing can be fun and a good way to earn a little pocket money and also pay your bills. But you need to do your taxes and here are a few tips you can use to get your tax write-offs.
🎨Creative assistance
Write it off using: Schedule C, Box 11
If you need assistance and hire an editor, set assistant, or designer, write it off.
⌨️Writing software
Write it off using: Schedule C, Box 18
Writing tools like Grammarly and Hemingway are tax-deductible. Word processors like Scrivener and transcription software for interviews can also be written off.
📚Educational books
Write it off using: Schedule C, Box 27a
Books that help you handle and manage your business or books relevant to your field, write them off.
🌐Website & hosting fees
Write it off using: Schedule C, Box 8
Plugins, stock photos, themes and website hosting fees are all tax deductible.
⚖️Legal fees
Write it off using: Schedule C, Box 17
Legal fees paid when setting up your business or drawing up paperwork are deductible.
😎Personal marketing materials
Write it off using: Schedule C, Box 8
Business cards, postcards, and other materials used to promote yourself are deductible.
📱Phone, laptop, accessories
Write it off using: Schedule C, Box 27a
If buy a phone or laptop and use it for work, it’s partially deductible.
📝 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.
📱 Social media tools
Write it off using: Schedule C, Box 18
Write off the tools you use to create assets, schedule posts, or pull analytics.
🖥️Lead generation software
Write it off using: Schedule C, Box 18
Software for CRM, lead generation, or email marketing is a write-off.
🌴Conferences & retreats
Write it off using: Schedule C, Box 27a
All conferences and retreats that you attend to enhance your writing and network can be written off.
🔍Research tools
Write it off using: Schedule C, Box 27a
Databases, apps, and other tools used to research a topic you’re writing about can be written off.
☁️Data storage
Write it off using: Schedule C, Box 18
If you pay for cloud data storage to store files for work, it’s a write-off.