Business Deduction Checklist

Office & Administration

[ ] Home Office Deduction: Square footage calculation or simplified method. [ ] Office Supplies: Paper, pens, printer ink, postage. [ ] Computers & Tech: Laptops, monitors, hard drives (Section 179/Bonus Depreciation). [ ] Software Subscriptions: Adobe, Microsoft 365, QuickBooks, CRM tools. [ ] Cell Phone & Internet: The specific percentage used for business.

Marketing & Professional Fees

[ ] Advertising: Google Ads, Facebook Ads, billboards, sponsorships. [ ] Website Costs: Domain names, hosting (AWS, Vercel), web design fees. [ ] Legal & Professional: Attorney fees, CPA tax prep fees, bookkeeping costs. [ ] Contractor Labor: Freelancers or agencies you hired (ensure 1099s are issued).

Travel & Vehicle

[ ] Business Mileage: Standard mileage rate for trips to clients, banks, or suppliers. [ ] Travel Expenses: Airfare, Uber/Lyft, hotels for out-of-town business trips. [ ] Business Meals: 50% deduction for meals with clients or partners (keep the receipt with names written on it!).

Insurance & Financial

[ ] Business Insurance: General liability, E&O, cyber insurance. [ ] Bank Fees: Monthly maintenance fees, wire fees, overdraft fees on business accounts. [ ] Credit Card Interest: Interest paid strictly on business credit cards. [ ] Self-Employed Health Insurance: Premiums for yourself and dependents (if eligible).

Education & Licensing

[ ] Business Licenses: State LLC fees, city permits, trade licenses. [ ] Continuing Education: Courses, seminars, books, and trade journals related to your field.