Category: Self-Employed & Freelancers

IRS Publication 463 is the rulebook for deducting vehicle expenses — and it answers the questions self-employed drivers search for most: what the standard mileage rate includes, whether you can deduct car washes separately, and what you’re allowed to add on top. This guide translates Pub 463’s vehicle rules into plain English and links to…

Musicians, actors, dancers, and other performing artists often work as independent contractors moving between gigs, sessions, and short-term contracts. That patchwork income comes with a patchwork of deductible expenses that many performers never claim because they don’t realize how broadly the IRS defines a business expense for artists. Performing as a Business If you’re paid…

Electricians, plumbers, HVAC techs, carpenters, and other independent contractors in the trades often buy thousands of dollars in tools, equipment, and vehicle expenses every year. If you’re self-employed rather than a W-2 employee of a contracting company, nearly all of that spending is deductible. Are You Self-Employed or a W-2 Employee? If you work as…

Hair stylists, barbers, and cosmetologists who rent a booth or chair at a salon are typically running their own independent business rather than working as an employee of the salon. That self-employed status brings self-employment tax, but also a substantial list of deductions tied to the tools of the trade. Booth Rent vs. Employee Status…

Starting a business costs money before you ever earn your first dollar of revenue — market research, legal fees, signage, initial marketing, and training all add up. The good news is the IRS lets you deduct a portion of these startup costs immediately, with the rest recovered over time. The $5,000 Immediate Deduction New businesses…

Attorney fees, accountant bills, and consultant invoices are a normal part of running a business, and most of them are fully deductible. The confusion usually comes from a handful of exceptions where legal and professional fees have to be capitalized or spread out instead of deducted immediately. The General Rule for Legal and Professional Fees…

Keeping a professional license current or staying sharp in your field costs money every year — continuing education hours, license renewal fees, conference registration, and certification exams all add up. For self-employed workers, most of this is deductible, though the rules depend on whether the education maintains your current skills or qualifies you for a…

If you deliver for DoorDash, Instacart, Uber Eats, Amazon Flex, or a similar app, the IRS treats you as a self-employed contractor. You’ll report your earnings on Schedule C and pay self-employment tax on your net profit — but that profit is calculated after subtracting your real business costs, and delivery drivers usually have more…