Beyond mileage, real estate agents can deduct a wide range of costs tied to running their business, including marketing, MLS and association fees, licensing, and even a portion of their home if they maintain a dedicated office. Marketing is often one of the largest categories for agents — professional photography for listings, staging costs, yard signs, postcards, and paid social or search ads are all ordinary business expenses. MLS dues, brokerage desk fees, and association

Most DoorDash drivers should set aside 25–30% of their earnings for taxes, though the right number depends on your total income, deductions, and tax bracket, since self-employment tax stacks on top of regular income tax. When you drive for DoorDash, no one withholds taxes from your pay the way an employer would for a W-2 job. That means you're responsible for both income tax and self-employment tax, which covers Social Security and Medicare and currently runs 15.3% of your ne

Yes — your massage table, linens, oils, and studio or room rental are all deductible business expenses for independent massage therapists, as long as they're used to serve clients rather than for personal use. A massage table and any specialized equipment, like a table warmer or bolster set, are ordinary costs of doing the work, so they're deductible in full or, for larger purchases, may qualify for Section 179 to deduct the full cost immediately rather than depreciating it o

Yes — design software subscriptions, computer equipment, and other tools used for client work are deductible for independent graphic designers, but personal-use equipment or software you'd have regardless of freelancing doesn't qualify. Subscriptions like Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva Pro, or font licensing used for client projects are ordinary business costs, so the full subscription fee is deductible as long as it's used for work. Larger purchases, like a new laptop, monitor,

Yes — a dedicated home office, computer equipment, and software used for client work are all deductible for independent IT consultants, as long as they're used regularly and specifically for the business. If you work from a space in your home used exclusively for client work, you can use either the simplified home office method ($5 per square foot, up to 300 square feet, for a maximum of $1,500) or the regular method, which applies your actual business-use percentage to rent

Yes — mileage driven between client homes for walks is deductible for independent dog walkers, and for walkers who cover several neighborhoods in a day, it's often the single biggest deduction available. You can calculate this mileage using either the standard mileage rate (a flat amount per business mile) or actual vehicle expenses, whichever works out better for your situation. Most dog walkers come out ahead using the standard mileage rate simply because of how much short-

Yes — accounting and bookkeeping software subscriptions used to serve clients are deductible business expenses for independent bookkeepers, along with most other tools you use to run a virtual or in-person practice. Software like QuickBooks Online, Xero, or industry-specific add-ons are ordinary and necessary costs of doing bookkeeping work, so the full subscription cost is deductible as long as it's used for client work. If you also use a version of the software for personal

Yes — pet supplies, mileage between client homes, and related business costs are deductible for independent pet sitters and dog walkers, as long as they're tied to client care rather than your own pets. Items like leashes, waste bags, treats, and pet first-aid supplies bought specifically for use with clients' animals are ordinary business expenses. If you drive between client homes for visits or walks, that mileage is deductible using either the standard mileage rate or actu

Yes — sound equipment, instruments, and travel to gigs are deductible business expenses for independent DJs and musicians, but personal listening gear or instruments you don't use professionally don't qualify. Speakers, mixers, turntables, microphones, and instruments used to perform paid gigs are ordinary business costs, so they're deductible. Bigger purchases, like a full sound system, may qualify for Section 179, allowing you to deduct the full cost immediately in the year

Yes — mowers, trimmers, fuel, and other equipment used to service client properties are deductible for independent landscapers, but the way you deduct larger equipment depends on its cost and how long it's expected to last. Smaller consumables, like trimmer line, fuel and oil mix, and blades, are typically deducted in full the year you buy them. Larger equipment purchases, like a commercial mower or a leaf blower, may qualify for Section 179, which lets you deduct the full co

Errors and Omissions Insurance and Supplies? Yes — E&O insurance, notary bonds, stamps, and signing supplies are all deductible business expenses for independent notary signing agents, since each one is required or ordinary to run the business. Because notary work carries legal liability if a signing is ever done incorrectly, most notaries carry Errors & Omissions insurance and a state-required notary bond. Both are fully deductible, along with your notary commission fees, se

Yes — books, workbooks, curriculum licenses, and teaching supplies bought specifically for tutoring clients are deductible, but materials you'd use regardless of tutoring, like a personal reference book, generally aren't. The test the IRS applies is whether the expense exists because of the tutoring business, not just alongside it. A subject-specific workbook you buy to work through with a student, an online curriculum subscription used in sessions, or a whiteboard purchased

Yes — tools and equipment bought to complete paying jobs are deductible for independent handymen, but how you deduct them depends on the cost: smaller tools are typically written off right away, while bigger equipment may be deducted over time or all at once under certain IRS rules. Everyday tools like drills, saws, ladders, and hand tool sets are usually deducted in full the year you buy them, since they're relatively inexpensive and used up over normal wear and tear. Larger

Yes — cleaning supplies, equipment, and even a portion of your vehicle costs are deductible for independent cleaning contractors, as long as they're used to service clients rather than your own home. Because cleaning is a supply-heavy business, this is often one of the larger deduction categories contractors have. Products like disinfectants, mop heads, vacuum bags, and trash bags used on client jobs are fully deductible. Bigger equipment, like a commercial vacuum or a carpet

Yes — cameras, lenses, and other equipment used for paid photography work are deductible, but how you deduct them depends on the cost and whether the IRS treats the purchase as a one-time expense or something you write off gradually over several years. Smaller gear purchases, like memory cards, batteries, and camera bags, are typically deducted in full the year you buy them. Bigger purchases, like a camera body or a $2,000 lens, may qualify for Section 179, which allows you t