The Section 179 deduction for freelancers lets you write off the full cost of business equipment in the year you start using it, instead of spreading it over several years. Software subscriptions are even simpler: they’re ordinary expenses you deduct as you pay them. And items up to $2,500 each can usually be deducted right … Read more
The self-employed health insurance deduction lets you subtract the health insurance premiums you pay from your income. You take it on Schedule 1 of your Form 1040, so you get it even if you don’t itemize. It’s one of the most valuable freelancer tax deductions, because health coverage is often a freelancer’s biggest monthly bill. … Read more
An HSA for self-employed people is a savings account for medical costs with a rare triple tax benefit. You can open one if you have a high-deductible health plan, even without an employer. In 2026, you can put in up to $4,400 with self-only coverage or $8,750 with family coverage. It pairs naturally with the … Read more
The QBI deduction for freelancers lets most self-employed people deduct up to 20% of their business profit from their taxable income. You don’t need to itemize, and you don’t need to spend any money to get it. Since a 2025 law made it permanent, it will stay available in 2026 and beyond. The IRS calls … Read more
Retirement plans for self-employed workers let you save far more than most employees can, and cut your taxes at the same time. The three main options are the SEP IRA, the Solo 401(k) and the Roth IRA. For most freelancers with no employees, a Solo 401(k) allows the biggest contributions. A SEP IRA is the … Read more
Tax deductions for Uber drivers can cut your taxable profit by more than half. Mileage is the big one, but app fees, your phone, tolls and supplies count too. Lyft drivers follow exactly the same rules. In other words, everything on this page applies to both apps. As a rideshare driver, you are self-employed, not … Read more
Tax deductions for photographers cover almost everything your business needs: cameras, lenses, lighting, editing software, studio space, travel and marketing. If you shoot as a freelancer, you report these costs on Schedule C. As a result, every dollar you deduct lowers both your income tax and your 15.3% self-employment tax. The rule behind every deduction … Read more
Standard mileage vs actual expenses is the choice of how you deduct a car you use for work. In fact, it’s one of the biggest freelancer tax deductions for anyone who drives for business. So the right pick can be worth thousands of dollars a year. Also, parking and tolls for business trips are deductible … Read more
Yes, freelancers can deduct their phone and internet, but only the part used for business. The phone and internet deduction is one of the easiest freelancer tax deductions to claim, and one of the most often missed. The key is a reasonable, documented percentage. Below you’ll see what counts, how to calculate your share, and … Read more
The home office deduction lets freelancers deduct part of their housing costs when they work from home. You can calculate it in two ways, and picking the right one can be worth thousands of dollars a year. The home office is one of the most valuable freelancer tax deductions, because it lowers both your income … Read more