Summary of What This Blog Covers:
- Common business deductions that lower your taxable income
- Real-life examples to simplify complex tax strategies
- How smart tracking protects you from tax mistakes
- Why working with a CPA helps you maximize every deduction
If you’re running a business and not maximizing your deductions, you’re essentially tipping the IRS. Generously.
We get it. You’re busy building the dream. Your days are full of invoices, campaigns, Zoom calls, maybe a bit of panic googling for a “tax preparer near me” when April rolls around.
But here’s the thing: taxes aren’t just a necessary evil. They’re a business opportunity. And when you understand how deductions work, you start to see tax season as less of a headache and more of a financial strategy.
At Insogna, we work with entrepreneurs, creatives, consultants, and business owners who want more than last-minute returns. They want a tax plan that works as hard as they do.
Let’s dig into 10 surprising business expenses you can (and should) deduct plus how to claim them the right way.
1. Editing Software and Creative Tools
If you’re using tools like Adobe Premiere, Canva Pro, Descript, Lightroom, or any other software to produce content, that’s not just a cost. It’s a deduction.
Why it matters:
Whether you’re designing marketing materials, editing product photos, or creating your next viral TikTok for brand awareness, these platforms are considered ordinary and necessary expenses by the IRS. Making them deductible under Section 162.
Also deductible: online platforms like Wave Accounting, ZohoBooks, FreshBooks, and your QuickBooks Self-Employed subscription. These tools are essential to your day-to-day business activities, and yes, they count.
Just keep those receipts and categorize them correctly with help from a tax advisor near you or a CPA in Austin, Texas who knows how to treat creative businesses like businesses.
2. Your Home Office (Yes, Even If It’s That Spare Bedroom)
Still working from a makeshift desk in the guest room? If it’s used exclusively and regularly for business, then congratulations. You’re eligible for the home office deduction.
Why it matters:
You may be able to deduct a portion of your:
- Rent or mortgage
- Property taxes
- Internet
- Utilities
- Repairs and maintenance
The IRS offers two methods: the simplified method (standard $5 per square foot, up to 300 sq. ft.) or the actual expenses method, which requires calculating the business-use percentage of your home.
Pro tip: A certified public accountant near you or a licensed tax preparer can walk you through which method gives you the bigger benefit.
3. Equipment Upgrades and Repairs
New laptop? New phone? Upgraded camera? If you use it for business, it’s deductible.
Why it matters:
Capital equipment and tech purchases can be written off in full under Section 179, or depreciated over time, depending on how they’re used. This also applies to:
- Printers and scanners
- Audio equipment
- Lighting setups
- Mobile phones used primarily for business
And don’t forget repairs. That cracked screen or fried battery you replaced? That’s a business expense, not just an annoyance.
Whether you’re a tech agency, content creator, or wedding planner, working with an Austin tax accountant ensures your tech costs are working for you, not against you.
4. Business Subscriptions and SaaS Tools
You’re subscribed to everything from Slack Pro to HubSpot to industry newsletters with “AI” in the name. Good news? If they help run your business, they’re likely deductible.
Why it matters:
SaaS (Software as a Service) tools are some of the most commonly overlooked deductions, especially when you’re self-employed. These monthly costs sneak in under your radar and can be lumped into “subscriptions” without a second thought.
Track and categorize every subscription with your QuickBooks Self-Employed dashboard, and let your CPA office near you review them before filing.
5. Motorcycle Rentals for Marketing (Yes, This Is Real)
You rented a motorcycle to create a cinematic promo for your brand. You look amazing. And now you’re wondering, was it necessary? Maybe not. But was it deductible? Possibly.
Why it matters:
If the expense is tied directly to generating revenue or promoting your business, it’s likely a legitimate marketing expense. Think branded shoots, content creation, campaign material, or paid promotions.
This one gets sticky, though. Document everything, and bring it to your taxation accountant or enrolled agent to validate.
If it looks like marketing, feels like marketing, and ends up in your campaign deck, don’t sleep on the deduction.
6. Cell Phone and Internet Use
Your phone never leaves your hand, and your Wi-Fi is keeping your business alive. If you’re not deducting your business-use percentage, you’re leaving money on the table.
Why it matters:
You can deduct a portion of your:
- Cell phone bill
- Internet service
- Mobile hotspot or additional data plans
Use a self-employment tax calculator to estimate your split between business and personal usage, and talk to your tax preparer near you about what’s considered “reasonable” under IRS standards.
7. Business Meals (With a Business Purpose)
Took a client to lunch? Discussed partnerships over coffee? If the purpose was tied to your business, you may be able to deduct 50% of that meal.
Why it matters:
To qualify, you must document:
- Who you met with
- What was discussed
- Where and when it occurred
The IRS wants receipts and context so keep a digital or physical trail. If it was a Zoom coffee or virtual lunch? That’s a gray area. Best to ask your licensed CPA or certified accountant near you before claiming it.
8. Professional Development
Just finished a course? Bought a $500 online business strategy bundle? Watched every video in a paid workshop library? That’s money well spent and possibly well deducted.
Why it matters:
Education expenses related to your current business activities (not new ones) are typically deductible under professional development or continuing education. Books, conferences, webinars, and coaching sessions all count.
Work with a small business CPA in Austin or wherever you’re based to ensure you don’t overstep and to keep the IRS from thinking you’re writing off your summer reading list.
9. Business Travel and Mileage
Flying to a conference? Driving to meet a client? Riding to a supplier’s location? All of it counts.
Why it matters:
Mileage can be tracked using apps or manual logs. In 2025, the IRS mileage rate is around 67 cents per mile which can add up quickly if you’re doing business on the move.
Also deductible:
- Parking fees
- Tolls
- Lodging
- Airfare
- Public transportation
Just keep that mileage log updated and ensure it’s linked to business activity, not your weekend beach run.
10. Business Insurance and Professional Fees
Insurance and expert advice are more than just smart. They’re deductible.
Why it matters:
From general liability policies to professional liability, you can write off premiums that protect your business. This also includes:
- Bookkeeping services
- Tax prep fees
- Payments to your tax accountant, CPA, or certified general accountant
- Legal fees tied to contract creation or compliance
Even your LLC formation fees may be deductible in certain cases. Just consult your certified CPA near you for accurate treatment.
Don’t Let Deductions Disappear
Let’s be clear: The IRS doesn’t send thank-you cards when you overpay. But they also don’t flag deductions that are:
- Documented
- Legitimate
- Strategically claimed with help from a tax professional near you
When you partner with Insogna, you’re not just hiring someone to file your taxes. You’re getting a strategic ally who sees deductions as opportunities, not just line items.
Let Insogna Maximize Your Deductions
We work with business owners, solopreneurs, and creatives who want to:
- Stop overpaying taxes
- Start leveraging deductions as part of a broader financial strategy
- Build a business that’s lean, clean, and legally optimized
Whether you’re self-employed or managing a growing company, we’ll help you track, calculate, and claim deductions the right way.
Ready to find money in your business you didn’t know was there? Let Insogna maximize your deductions. Schedule your consultation today.