As a housekeeper, you’re used to keeping things spick and span — but do you apply that same attention to detail to your taxes? What if we told you that you can lower your tax bill just by claiming the everyday sort of business expenses you already pay for?
That’s right: with just the tiniest bit of elbow grease, you can write off everything from cleaning products to new business cards and beyond. Time to make your tax return sparkle!
Track and claim every eligible deduction with Keeper
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If you drive for work ...
You can write off car expenses if you need to drive for work. For instance, a cleaner or housekeeper might need to drive to and from clients' homes or to pick up cleaning supplies.
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Parking
Write it off using:
Schedule C, Box 27a
Parking for a meeting downtown, or any other work trip, is tax-deductible!
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Tolls
Write it off using:
Schedule C, Box 27a
A toll while driving to or from a work destination is tax-deductible!
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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.
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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.
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Car insurance & registration
Write it off using:
Schedule C, Box 15
Car insurance monthly fees, registration, even roadside assistance are partially deductible.
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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 ...
If you visit a restaurant to talk about your business or to establish a relationship with a potential client, it's considered a business meal and can be claimed on your taxes. This also includes grabbing food or drink with accountants, vendors, mentors, and fellow cleaners or housekeepers.
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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 ...
If you book transportation or accommodations to attend a work-related event such as an industry conference, feel free to write off your travel expenses.
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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 ...
Scheduling appointments, working on attention-grabbing ways to market your services, and working on client development are all tasks a cleaner or housekeeper might do from home. Because these are all essential to your business and you work on them from home, you can write off a portion of 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!
