“What can I write off on my taxes?” is one of the most common tax questions — and one of the least clearly answered. This guide breaks it down by situation, in plain English, with no jargon.
First: Deduction vs. Tax Credit — What’s the Difference?
A deduction reduces your taxable income. A credit reduces your actual tax bill dollar-for-dollar. Both are valuable, but credits are generally worth more. This guide focuses on deductions (write-offs).
If You’re a Homeowner
- Mortgage interest — Deductible on loans up to $750,000 if you itemize (guide →)
- Property taxes — Up to $10,000 combined with state income tax (SALT cap) (guide →)
- Home office — If you’re self-employed and use a dedicated space for work (guide →)
- Home improvements — Usually not immediately deductible, but they reduce capital gains when you sell (guide →)
Homeowners with a mortgage often benefit from itemizing. See: Complete home deduction guide →
If You’re Self-Employed or a Freelancer
Self-employed workers have access to some of the most powerful deductions available:
- Business expenses — Any ordinary and necessary cost of running your business
- Health insurance premiums — 100% deductible above the line (guide →)
- Retirement contributions — SEP-IRA, Solo 401(k)
- Home office — Dedicated workspace (guide →)
- Vehicle mileage — 67¢/mile for 2024 business driving (calculator →)
- Half of self-employment tax — Automatic above-the-line deduction
See the full list: Business tax deductions guide →
If You Have Significant Medical Expenses
- Doctor visits, hospital bills, surgeries
- Prescription drugs and medical equipment
- Dental and vision care
- Therapy and mental health treatment
- Medical travel costs
You can deduct the amount above 7.5% of your AGI if you itemize. Use our medical deduction calculator to see if you qualify. Full guide: Medical tax deductions →
If You’re a W-2 Employee
Post-2018, employees lost most of their itemized deductions. What remains for employees:
- Student loan interest — Up to $2,500, if within income limits
- Educator expense deduction — K-12 teachers can deduct up to $300 in classroom supplies
- Retirement contributions — 401(k), IRA contributions (may be deductible depending on income)
- HSA contributions — Pre-tax contributions to a Health Savings Account
- Charitable donations — If you itemize and donate to qualified organizations
Quick Reference by Expense Type
- ☑ Car wash — Only if used for business (check →)
- ☑ Coffee — Sometimes, if for a business meeting (check →)
- ☑ Gym membership — Usually no, with narrow exceptions (check →)
- ☑ Clothing — Only if required uniform not suitable for everyday wear (check →)
- ☑ Groceries — Rarely, and only for legitimate business meals (check →)
- ☑ Dog expenses — Only in very specific situations (check →)
The Bottom Line
What you can write off depends entirely on your situation — your filing status, income, whether you own or rent, and whether you’re employed or self-employed. The best approach is to use a checklist approach and review every category that applies to you.
Use our free AI Deduction Finder to describe your situation and get personalized write-offs. Or explore: What can I write off on my taxes — complete guide →
This article is for educational purposes only. Tax laws change and vary by situation — consult a CPA for personalized advice.
Above-the-Line Deductions: No Itemizing Required
Not all deductions require itemizing. Some deductions reduce your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) directly — these are called “above-the-line” deductions and you can claim them even if you take the standard deduction. Key above-the-line deductions include:
- Student loan interest — up to $2,500, subject to income limits
- Self-employed health insurance premiums — 100% of premiums if you’re self-employed
- Self-employed SEP-IRA, SIMPLE IRA, or solo 401(k) contributions — substantial limits
- Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions — up to $4,300 (self) or $8,550 (family) in 2025
- Educator expenses — up to $300 for K-12 teachers buying supplies
- Alimony paid — for divorces finalized before 2019
These deductions are often overlooked because people assume they need to itemize to get any tax benefit. They don’t. If you qualify for any of the above, claim them — they reduce your AGI, which in turn reduces your taxable income and may affect your eligibility for other tax breaks.
Business Deductions for Self-Employed People
If you’re self-employed (sole proprietor, freelancer, independent contractor, LLC owner), you deduct business expenses on Schedule C. These reduce your net profit — and therefore both your income tax AND your self-employment tax. Key categories include:
- Home office: The square footage percentage of your home expenses, or $5/sq ft simplified
- Vehicle: Business mileage (70 cents/mile in 2025) or actual vehicle costs × business use %
- Equipment and software: Computers, phones, subscriptions, tools used for work
- Professional services: Accountant, attorney, business coach fees
- Marketing and advertising: Website costs, social media ads, business cards
- Education and training: Courses, books, certifications related to your field
- Travel: Business flights, hotels, 50% of meals while traveling for work
Investment-Related Deductions
If you have investments, a few deductions may apply:
- Investment losses: Capital losses can offset capital gains dollar-for-dollar, and up to $3,000 of excess losses can offset ordinary income per year
- Investment interest expense: Interest paid to borrow money for investing is deductible, limited to your net investment income
Note: The deduction for investment advisory fees and tax preparation fees was eliminated by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and has not been reinstated as of 2025.
Rental Property Deductions
Rental property owners can deduct a wide range of expenses on Schedule E:
- Mortgage interest on the rental property
- Property taxes
- Insurance premiums
- Repairs and maintenance (but not improvements, which must be depreciated)
- Depreciation of the building (over 27.5 years for residential rental property)
- Property management fees
- Utilities paid by the landlord
- Advertising for tenants
Retirement Contributions
Contributing to retirement accounts is one of the most powerful ways to reduce your tax bill:
- Traditional IRA: Up to $7,000 ($8,000 if 50+) — deductible if you meet income limits
- 401(k): Up to $23,500 — contributions are pre-tax (W-2 employees through payroll)
- SEP-IRA: Up to 25% of net self-employment income, max $70,000 in 2025
- Solo 401(k): Up to $70,000 combined employee + employer contributions
Bottom Line
Tax write-offs fall into a few main categories: business expenses (if self-employed), itemized deductions (mortgage interest, charitable donations, medical expenses), and above-the-line deductions (retirement contributions, HSA, student loan interest). Most people qualify for at least some of each. The key is knowing which category each expense falls into and making sure you’re claiming everything you’re entitled to.