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About business expense categories

business expense tax deductions, business expense tax write-offs, tax-deductible business expenses, common business expense tax categories

Updated over a week ago

A tax category is automatically assigned to each expense you pay with your HoneyBook debit card. HoneyBook Balance uses a total of 27 categories, which refer to classifications used for determining the appropriate tax treatment of expenses and other financial activities.

Check out the categories below to learn more about what you can deduct:

Advertising and marketing

Costs related to marketing and advertising your business, including:

  • Website hosting

  • Graphic design

  • Social media promotions

  • Printed materials

  • Email marketing costs

  • Branded swag


Bank and transaction fees

  • Fees charged by your bank, like monthly maintenance fees

  • Fees charged by platforms like PayPal, Stripe, or other credit card processors

  • Other fees, sometimes referred to as “Merchant Processing Fees,” like those charged by Etsy, for example, for using their platform


Charitable contribution

  • If you’re a C-Corp, you may be able to deduct charitable contributions made to qualifying organizations

  • However, if you’re a sole proprietor or LLC, you may only be able to deduct these on your personal taxes if you choose to itemize your deductions


Client gifts

  • If you give gifts in the course of your trade or business, you may be able to deduct all or part of the cost

  • $25 limit: Gifts to clients and employees are 100% deductible, up to $25 per person per year


Commission and fees

Commissions paid to salespeople and affiliate payments made


Continuing education and training

  • Costs of professional development, including online courses, conferences, certifications, and educational subscriptions

  • The costs of “qualifying work-related education”

  • Education expenses to “maintain or improve skills needed in your present work”


Contract labor

Payments to independent contractors or freelancers for services rendered


Gas and fuel

  • Expenses for business use of vehicles, including mileage, gas, insurance, and maintenance

  • You can either deduct actual expenses or use the standard mileage rate


Home office expenses

If you use a part of your home regularly and exclusively to conduct business, you may be able to deduct a part of the operating expenses and depreciation of your home


Insurance

Premiums for business insurance, including:

  • Liability

  • Event insurance

  • Professional indemnity

  • Equipment insurance


Interest

Interest paid on business loans or credit lines


Legal and professional services

Fees paid to:

  • Lawyers

  • Accountants

  • Consultants

  • Other professionals for services related to your business


Licenses

Licensing fees necessary for your business, such as:

  • Fees for incorporating your business or renewal fees thereafter

  • Professional licensing fees

  • Trademark fees


Meals with clients

Expenses for business-related meals and entertainment, though these are subject to specific rules and limitations


Office expenses

A standalone classification from office supplies, as this could be used to describe any expenses incurred that may not fall under any subaccount


Office supplies

Costs for supplies and materials used in the office, including:

  • Paper

  • Pens

  • Computer software and applications


Payroll taxes

  • You can deduct the social security, Medicare, and FUTA taxes you paid out of your own funds as an employer

  • You can also deduct as taxes the payments you made as an employer to a state unemployment compensation fund or state disability benefit fund


Payroll wages

  • Compensation paid to employees, including wages, salaries, and bonuses

  • Costs associated with providing benefits, such as health insurance, retirement plan contributions, and education assistance


Personal

Personal transactions paid for by the business


Rent

Payments for renting or leasing:

  • Office space

  • Equipment

  • Other business property


Shipping & postage

Costs associated with shipping or postage office expenses


Supplies

Different from office supplies, as these could be things not specifically limited to the office, such as job supplies purchased for use during photography sessions


Tolls & parking

In addition to using the standard mileage rate, you can deduct any business-related parking fees and tolls


Travel airfare

  • You can deduct the cost of travel by airplane, vehicle rental, train, taxi, and ridesharing between your home and business destination

  • "On-the-go internet expenses" such as mobile hotspots or flight and hotel internet for work purposes are also tax-deductible within travel


Travel lodging

You can deduct the cost of your lodging if your business trip is overnight or long enough that you need to stop for sleep or rest to properly perform your duties


Travel meals

  • You can deduct the cost of meals if your business trip is overnight or long enough that you need to stop for sleep or rest to properly perform your duties

  • You can use actual expenses or the standard meal allowance to calculate your deduction

  • In most cases, you can deduct only 50% of your meal expenses


Utilities

  • Costs for essential services such as electricity, water, and telephone

  • If it’s utilities for a home office space, only the home office portion may be tax-deductible


Still have questions? Feel free to send us a message by clicking the Question Mark icon on any HoneyBook page. Our team is always happy to help!

HoneyBook is a software company, not a bank. Banking services are provided by Lincoln Savings Bank, Member FDIC. HoneyBook Visa Debit cards are issued by Lincoln Savings Bank, Member FDIC. HoneyBook is not FDIC insured. FDIC insurance only covers the failure of an insured bank.

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