Content creators truly live a life of freedom. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean freedom from paying your taxes — but there is an easy way to reduce your bill come tax time.
You know all those ordinary business expenses you rack up as you find your perfect camera angles: the filming equipment, the lunches while you meet new sponsors, the trips you take to vlog about your experience? Those can all be written off on your taxes!
They say that everything is content, which makes it easier than most professions to reasonably claim something as a business expense. But in case you’re having trouble picturing it, we’ve gathered the best write-offs for content creators all in one place. Now that deserves a like!
Track and claim every eligible deduction with Keeper
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If you discuss work at a restaurant ...
You'll likely do a fair share of networking from your home base, such as grabbing food or drinks with brand ambassadors, artists, photographers, or fellow content creators. These qualify as business meals, and you can deduct the costs from your taxes.
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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 ...
Securing brand deals is a content creator's bread and butter, which often involves travel. If you need to head to an out-of-town shooting location, meeting with a brand, networking event, or industry conference, you can write your travel expenses off on your taxes.
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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.
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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.
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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 ...
Location scouting isn't always necessary for content creators who can whip up a compelling ad or video right from their homes. You might also work at your home desk on things like:
- Industry research
- Affiliate marketing outreach
- Marketing campaigns
- Social media assets
If you work on content creation from home, don't forget to write off part of your home office expenses.
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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.
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Property repairs
Write it off using:
Schedule C, Box 21
You can write off up to $2,500 for individual repairs to your property.
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Power bill
Write it off using:
Form 8829
Gotta keep the lights on in your home office! A portion of your electricity bill counts.
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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.
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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.
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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!
