Workspace
Home office, coworking fees, office supplies, furniture
- Proof to keep
- Square footage, photos, receipts, lease or utility records
- What can change it
- A home office generally needs regular and exclusive business use
1099 write-offs in plain language
Find the deductions hiding in your workday
See the common categories, the proof worth keeping, and the details that can change whether an expense qualifies
THE RULE OF THUMBBusiness purpose+Reasonable amount+Proof you can explain
Common deduction categories
Start with the work—not a tax-code scavenger hunt
These categories are starting points, not automatic deductions. Eligibility and limits depend on your facts
Driving and travel
Business mileage, parking, tolls, airfare, lodging
- Proof to keep
- Contemporaneous mileage log, dates, locations, receipts, purpose
- What can change it
- Commuting and personal travel are generally different from business travel
Tools and technology
Software, subscriptions, equipment, internet, phone
- Proof to keep
- Invoices, receipts, statements, and a reasonable business-use allocation
- What can change it
- Personal-use portions may need to be separated
Outside help
Bookkeeping, legal, tax, contractor, and professional fees
- Proof to keep
- Invoices, contracts, payment records, and required information returns
- What can change it
- Worker classification and reporting rules still matter
Insurance and benefits
Business insurance, eligible health insurance, retirement contributions
- Proof to keep
- Policies, premium statements, plan documents, contribution records
- What can change it
- Eligibility, plan type, and other coverage can change the result
Learning and growth
Education, licenses, professional memberships, advertising
- Proof to keep
- Receipts plus a clear connection to your existing business
- What can change it
- Training for a completely new trade can be treated differently
Make the deduction defensible
Capture the fact while it is still fresh
Text Lucy a receipt, mileage detail, or business-purpose note. The strongest deduction is one your records can explain
See Lucy on the GoPROOF CHECK
- Date and amount
- Vendor or destination
- Clear business purpose
- Business-use percentage when mixed
- Receipt, invoice, statement, or mileage log
Quick answers
Write-offs without the wishful thinking
Can every business purchase be deducted
No. A business expense generally needs to be ordinary and necessary for the business, and other limitations may apply
What deductions can I claim without receipts
Documentation requirements depend on the expense, but relying on memory is risky. Keep receipts, statements, logs, invoices, and the business purpose whenever possible
Does a deduction reduce tax dollar for dollar
Usually not. A deduction generally reduces taxable income, while a credit can reduce tax directly. Your actual benefit depends on the rule and your tax facts
How does Lucy personalize this list
Lucy connects income, entity type, work patterns, expenses, available budget, deadlines, and approved tax rules to surface strategies and inputs that fit the member
Use the IRS Self-Employed Individuals Tax Center for official filing guidance and a qualified tax professional for decisions