Solopreneurs and home-based business owners pay more tax than they need to when they miss common deductions. The big ones are advertising, travel, meals, home office costs, and part of the self-employment tax. Keep receipts and records for everything you plan to deduct, and check with a tax professional when you are unsure.
Advertising and marketing costs are deductible. This covers ads, business cards, promotional materials, domain names, website hosting, and site maintenance. Any expense that is ordinary and necessary for finding customers counts.
Business travel is deductible too: airfare, lodging, transit, parking, fuel, mileage, and tolls for trips taken for work. Keep the dates, destination, and business purpose for each trip.
Meals are limited. Under IRS rules (Internal Revenue Code section 274), business meals are generally 50% deductible, not 100%. That includes meals while traveling on business away from home, even when dining alone. Personal meals are never deductible. For each meal, record the date, place, cost, who was there, and what business was discussed.
If you work from home, the home office deduction applies to space used regularly and only for business. There is a simplified method based on square footage. Ask a tax professional which method fits your situation.
Self-employment tax runs 15.3% on net self-employment income: 12.4% for Social Security and 2.9% for Medicare. The good news is that you can deduct half of it from your income on your tax return, which lowers your income tax. Quarterly estimated payments cover both income tax and self-employment tax, so plan for them.
Tax rules change. Read the IRS guidance for small business owners and get professional advice before filing. For broader money management, read the guide to managing finances and accounting for your home-based startup. If you are still planning the business itself, see strategic planning help for small businesses and financing options for women-owned small businesses and startups.
