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IRS Schedule C Directory

Schedule C Business Expense Categorizer & Deduction Lookup

Search IRS write-off categories, check deductibility percentages, and estimate your annual tax savings.

IRS Form 1040 Schedule C Guide 100% IRS Compliant

Schedule C Business Expense Categorizer & Deduction Lookup

Search IRS write-off lines, check deductibility percentages, and calculate your total potential tax deductions.

Showing 14 deductible expense categoriesClick "+ Add to Calc" to estimate savings
100% DeductibleLine 18 (Office Expense) or Line 27a (Other)

Software & SaaS Subscriptions (Figma, Adobe, Notion, AWS)

Cloud software, productivity apps, web hosting, code repositories, domain names, and design tools.

Receipt Requirement: Digital invoice/receipt showing payment, billing date, and vendor details.
100% DeductibleLine 13 (Depreciation) or Section 179 / De Minimis

Laptops, Monitors, Phones & Work Hardware

Laptops, cameras, audio equipment, tablets under $2,500 can be expensed immediately under De Minimis Safe Harbor.

Receipt Requirement: Itemized purchase receipt showing merchant, serial/model, and proof of purchase.
100% DeductibleLine 8 (Advertising)

Google, Meta, TikTok Ads & SEO Services

Paid advertising spend, PPC campaigns, sponsored posts, business cards, email marketing software, brand merchandise.

Receipt Requirement: Ad account billing receipts or monthly statement showing ad spend charge.
50% DeductibleLine 24b (Deductible Meals)

Client Business Lunches & Dinners

Food and drinks with clients, contractors, or prospects where substantial business was conducted.

Receipt Requirement: Itemized restaurant receipt + note on who attended and business purpose discussed.
100% DeductibleLine 24a (Travel)

Flights, Trains & Hotels (Out-of-Town Travel)

Airfare, lodging, rideshares, baggage fees, and tolls for overnight business trips.

Receipt Requirement: Boarding passes, airline receipts, hotel folios showing destination and business dates.
100% DeductibleLine 9 (Car and Truck Expenses)

Vehicle Mileage for Client Meetings / Errand Runs

Standard IRS mileage rate ($0.67/mi) or actual gas, maintenance, and insurance ratio.

Receipt Requirement: Contemporaneous mileage log with date, origin/destination, miles, and business reason.
100% DeductibleLine 11 (Contract Labor)

Freelancers, Contractors & Virtual Assistants (1099)

Payments to subcontractors, developers, copywriters, and virtual assistants. (Issue Form 1099-NEC if > $600/yr).

Receipt Requirement: Invoices from contractor + Form W-9 on file + payment transaction records.
100% DeductibleLine 17 (Legal & Professional Services)

Legal Fees, CPA, Bookkeeping & Tax Prep

Lawyer consultations, LLC formation filings, CPA tax prep fees, bookkeeping software.

Receipt Requirement: Itemized CPA/attorney invoices specifying business-related scope.
100% DeductibleLine 30 (Expenses for Business Use of Home)

Home Office Space (Dedicated Room)

Simplified $5/sq ft (up to 300 sq ft) or proportional rent, power, heat, and home internet.

Receipt Requirement: Floor plan measurements + monthly rent/utility receipts if using actual expense method.
100% DeductibleLine 20b (Rent or Lease - Other Business Property)

Coworking Space (WeWork, Regus, Desk Rental)

Monthly membership for dedicated desks, hot desks, conference room rentals.

Receipt Requirement: Monthly coworking membership invoice / subscription confirmation.
100% DeductibleLine 27a (Other Expenses)

Online Courses, Books, Conferences & Certifications

Education that maintains or improves skills required in your current business trade.

Receipt Requirement: Course receipt, syllabus/ticket, and conference confirmation.
100% DeductibleLine 27a (Other Expenses)

Stripe, PayPal & Bank Merchant Processing Fees

Credit card transaction processing fees (e.g. 2.9% + 30¢), wire transfer charges, bank monthly maintenance.

Receipt Requirement: Monthly merchant statements (Stripe/PayPal annual financial report).
100% DeductibleLine 15 (Insurance - other than health)

General Liability, Professional E&O & Cyber Insurance

Commercial liability policies, errors & omissions coverage, property protection.

Receipt Requirement: Insurance declaration page and annual policy payment statement.
100% DeductibleLine 18 (Office Expense)

Desk Supplies, Notebooks, Printer Ink & Paper

Consumable day-to-day office supplies used up within the fiscal tax year.

Receipt Requirement: Store or Amazon receipt with itemized goods listed.
Total Deductible Write-Off
$0

Estimated cash tax saved (~30% bracket): $0

Selected Write-Off Items (0)
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Frequently Asked Questions

According to the IRS, an ordinary expense is one that is common and accepted in your industry. A necessary expense is one that is helpful and appropriate for your business or trade.

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