What Can You Write Off as a 1099 Worker?
Check off every deduction that applies to you. Get your running total instantly.
By the Easy Guides Editorial Team
Every dollar you deduct lowers both your income tax and the profit your self-employment tax is based on. Check the categories that apply to you and enter amounts to total your deductions. Keep a receipt or record for each one.
How each deduction worksEstimate your self-employment tax
Educational checklist, not tax advice. Eligibility and limits vary, and some items (like meals and the home office) follow special rules. Confirm with a tax professional and keep records.
How to use this checklist
Work through each category and enter your estimated annual amount for each deduction that applies to your situation. The tool calculates your total deductions and shows your estimated tax savings in real time.
These deductions reduce your net profit on Schedule C, the number your income tax and self-employment tax are calculated on. Every dollar of deductions saves you roughly 25, 40 cents in taxes depending on your bracket.
What counts as a deduction?
The IRS standard: expenses that are ordinary (common in your industry) and necessary (helpful and appropriate for your business). When in doubt, ask: would I have this expense if I didn't have this business?
Keep receipts and records for everything. The IRS can audit up to 3 years back, and documentation is your protection. See our full 1099 deductions guide for detailed explanations of each category.
Common questions
What can I write off as a 1099 worker?
Home office, business mileage or vehicle costs, software and subscriptions, phone and internet at the business-use share, supplies and equipment, professional fees, marketing, business travel, health insurance premiums, and retirement contributions.
Can I deduct my home office?
Yes, if a space is used regularly and exclusively for business. The simplified method is $5 per square foot up to 300 square feet. The actual expense method can be worth more but needs detailed records.
Can I write off my car?
Business miles, yes. Commuting to a regular workplace, no. The standard mileage rate is the simplest route and requires a contemporaneous log of dates, miles, and purpose.