27 Tax Write-Offs for Bloggers

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Lots of people dream of following their passion for travel, fashion, or food by turning it into a full-fledged job. As a blogger, you're one of the few who's actually making it work.

But if you've been at it this for a while, that dream comes with a nasty wakeup call at tax time. That's right: you'll have to pay taxes on what you earn.

Luckily, you can write off lots of expenses to keep more of your blogging income in your pocket.

📱
Phone, laptop, accessories
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

If buy a phone or laptop and use it for work, it's partially deductible.

⌨️
Writing software
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 18

Writing tools like Grammarly and Hemingway are tax-deductible. So are word processors like Scrivener and transcription software for interviews.

🌐
Website & hosting fees
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 8

Squarespace, Wix, GoDaddy, and other website service fees are fully tax-deductible.

📣
Online advertising
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 8

Ad campaigns on Google, Meta, TikTok, and more are all deductible on your taxes.

🔍
Research tools
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

Databases, apps, and other tools used to research a topic you're writing about can be written off.

🗞️
News & magazine subscriptions
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

Newspaper or magazine subscriptions used for work-related research can be written off.

🎁
Prizes & giveaways
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 8

If you host a contest for your followers, make sure to write off the prizes you give away.

📝
Office supplies
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 18

Deduct anything you buy for your office, like pens, binders, folders, printer ink, or a whiteboard.

🖥️
Electronic devices
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 18

Computers, extra monitors, webcams, and microphones needed to teach are write-offs.

📧
Email marketing software
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 18

Write off any email marketing software like Mailchimp or ActiveCampaign.

✍️
Contributing writers
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 11

Do you pay freelance writers to contribute blog posts? That money is tax-deductible!

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If you drive for work ...

As a blogger, you'll have plenty of reasons to take the wheel for work purposes. For example, you might find yourself driving in search of things — or people — to write about, or hop in your car to meet up with sponsors, contributors, or fellow bloggers. All of that means you get to write off a portion of your car expenses, from gas to repairs.

🅿️
Parking
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

Parking for a meeting downtown, or any other work trip, is tax-deductible!

🛣️
Tolls
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

A toll while driving to or from a work destination is tax-deductible!

🚘
Car purchase & depreciation
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 13

If you buy a new car, you can write off part of the cost every year for five years.

🧰
Vehicle tool kit
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 22

Flashlights, tire iron, duct tape, and other tools you may need in your vehicle are deductible.

☂️
Car insurance & registration
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 15

Car insurance monthly fees, registration, even roadside assistance are partially deductible.

🔧
Car maintenance
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 9

Oil changes, repairs, and regular checkups are all tax-deductible if you drive for work.

If you discuss work at a restaurant ...

Do you ever grab lunch with advertisers, folks in the industry, or creatives you work with? Those are business meals, and you get to write off 50% of what you spend on them.

🍔
Business meals
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 24b

If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it's a write-off!

If you leave town for work ...

Even if you're not a travel blogger, your work might take you far from home — attending conventions, taking workshops, or introducing your readers to cool stuff you can't get in your hometown. As long as you're traveling for work, you can write off what you spend on airfare, hotels, and more.

🛫
Transportation
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 24a

Planes, trains, and car rentals are all work-related travel costs that can be written off.

🏨
Travel lodging
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 24a

When you travel for work, lodging expenses such as hotel rooms or Airbnb are write offs.

🥡
Meals while traveling
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 24a

When you're traveling for work, all meals are tax-deductible. Even takeout!

If you work from home ...

Whether you're writing every blog post yourself, or managing a big team of staff writers, odds are decent that you can WFH. That means you get to write off a portion of everything you spend on your living space, from your rent to your Wi-Fi.

🛋️
Home office furniture
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 18

A desk, chairs, lamps, and other home office necessities are all tax write-offs.

🛠️
Property repairs
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 21

You can write off up to $2,500 for individual repairs to your property.

🔌
Power bill
Write it off using:

Form 8829

Gotta keep the lights on in your home office! A portion of your electricity bill counts.

🌪️
Property insurance
Write it off using:

Form 8829

Whether it's rental or homeowners insurance, you can write off a portion through your home office deduction.

🚰
Water bill
Write it off using:

Form 8829

It'd be hard to work in an office without running water, huh? You water bill counts.

🌐
Wi-Fi bill
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 25

Your Comcast bill is a tax write-off. You need internet to do your job!