What can freelancers write off on taxes?

Ordinary and necessary business costs: home office, software and subscriptions, computers and equipment, a business share of phone and internet, business travel and 50% of business meals, mileage or vehicle costs, professional services, marketing, business insurance, and payment-processing fees. Freelancers may also deduct self-employed health insurance premiums, retirement contributions, half of self-employment tax, and up to 20% of qualified business income (QBI).

Can I deduct a home office as a freelancer?

Yes, if you use part of your home regularly and exclusively for business. The simplified method deducts $5 per square foot up to 300 square feet (max $1,500); the actual-expense method deducts a business-use percentage of real home costs.

What is the 2026 mileage deduction rate?

The IRS business standard mileage rate for 2026 is 72.5 cents per mile. You can use it instead of tracking actual vehicle expenses.

Freelancer tax guide

Freelance tax deductions: the 2026 checklist

Updated for tax year 2026 · About a 6-minute read · Not tax advice

Every dollar of legitimate business expense you deduct lowers your net profit — and your taxes are calculated on net profit, not what you billed. Tracking write-offs is one of the highest-return habits in freelancing.

The rule of thumb

You can deduct expenses that are ordinary and necessary for your work — normal for your line of business and genuinely helpful to it. The catch: keep records (receipts, statements, a log). A deduction you can't back up is a deduction you can lose in an audit.

Common freelancer write-offs

Deduction	Notes
Home office	If you use a space regularly and exclusively for work: simplified method = $5/sq ft up to 300 sq ft (max $1,500), or the actual-expense method (a business-use % of rent, utilities, etc.).
Software & subscriptions	Design tools, editors, hosting, cloud storage, stock assets, professional memberships.
Computers & equipment	Laptop, camera, monitor, desk, chair — tools you use for the business.
Phone & internet	The business-use percentage of your bills (not 100% unless it's a dedicated business line).
Mileage or vehicle costs	Business miles at the 2026 IRS rate of 72.5¢/mile, or the actual-expense method — pick one and keep a mileage log.
Business travel	Flights, lodging, and transportation for work trips. Meals while traveling or meeting clients are generally 50% deductible.
Professional services	Your accountant, bookkeeper, lawyer, or contractors you hire.
Marketing & website	Ads, your domain and hosting, portfolio tools, business cards.
Education	Courses, books, and conferences that maintain or improve skills for your current work.
Business insurance	Liability or professional insurance related to your work.
Fees	Payment-processor and merchant fees (PayPal, Stripe, Gumroad), business bank fees.
Supplies	The small stuff — postage, printing, office supplies — adds up.

The bigger deductions people miss

These aren't on Schedule C with your everyday expenses, but they can save serious money:

Self-employed health insurance. If you pay your own medical, dental, or qualifying long-term-care premiums and aren't eligible for an employer plan, you may deduct them.

Retirement contributions. A SEP-IRA or Solo 401(k) lets you sock away pre-tax income — lowering this year's tax while building your own retirement.

Half of your self-employment tax. You automatically get to deduct the employer-equivalent half of your SE tax when figuring income tax.

Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction. Many freelancers can deduct up to 20% of their qualified business income. It was made permanent by 2025 legislation and applies in 2026, with the full deduction available below roughly $200,000 (single) / $400,000 (married filing jointly) and phase-outs above. Worth asking a tax pro whether you qualify — it's a big one.

A quick example: track $10,000 of real expenses on $60,000 of income and you're taxed on $50,000, not $60,000. At a ~30% combined rate, that tracking is worth roughly $3,000 in your pocket.

Keep records you can actually find

The deductions are only as good as your ability to prove them. Log each expense with the date, amount, and what it was for, keep digital copies of receipts, and separate business and personal spending (a dedicated card helps). Do it as you go — reconstructing a year of expenses from memory in April is how deductions get missed.

Track expenses without the mess.

Stashly's expense log flags what's deductible and subtracts it automatically, so your net profit — and your tax set-aside — are always right. One file you own, in Excel & Google Sheets.

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Frequently asked

Do I need receipts for everything?

Keep records for your deductions, especially larger ones. Bank and card statements plus receipts for significant purchases are a solid baseline.

Can I deduct 100% of my phone or internet?

Only the business-use share, unless it's a line used solely for business. Estimate honestly and be consistent.

Stashly is a self-help planning tool, not a CPA, accountant, or tax advisor, and does not provide tax, legal, or financial advice. Deduction eligibility and limits depend on your situation and can change. This is not an exhaustive list — confirm what applies to you with a qualified tax professional.