Tax write-offs small-business owners shouldn't forget

Tax Day is April 18.

AmnajKhetsamtip/Getty Images

• Tax write-offs for small-business owners can be confusing.
• Four founders shared which expenses they wrote off for their businesses.
• Technology, rent, and travel are among the most important, founders told Insider.
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1. Business equipment

Lucia Diaz says paper and technology can be written off as business expenses.

Courtesy of Diaz

Anything that you use to run your business could be a tax write-off, or an expense that can be claimed as a deduction to lower your taxable income, four small-business owners told Insider.

This includes all materials you purchase throughout the year to create your products or offer your services.

For example, Lucia Diaz, the founder of the eponymous Latina-focused art company, said the paper she used to create her stationery and cards, printer ink, shipping labels, packaging supplies, and business cards all qualified as write-off expenses. 

2. Technology

Nicole Lewis writes off machinery used in production.

Anna Powell Denton / Etsy

Diaz also writes off the technological devices she buys to run her business, such as her phone, iPad, and MacBook Pro. Similarly, Nicole Lewis, the founder of an arts-and-crafts Etsy shop, said large equipment could be written off. 

"It is important to note that some large equipment, including computers, is not a one-time type of deduction," Lewis wrote in a follow-up email. "A percentage is taken as a deduction over several years," which is why it's best to consult with a tax professional to understand exactly what can be counted, she added. 

Lewis also spends money on iCloud storage, digital apps, subscriptions, and software that can range from a one-time purchase to a yearly subscription, which can all be written off, too. 

Lastly, both Diaz and Lewis sell their products on Shopify, which charges fees and startup costs that can also be written off.

3. Marketing expenses

Nichole Sesti writes off marketing and travel expenses.

Karya Schanilec

Marketing expenses can also be write-offs for small-business owners.

For example, Lewis sends samples of her product that can be used for wholesale accounts, gift baskets, photography props, media gifts, and celebrity party favors, she said. These offerings help her business land media appearances or social-media shout-outs. Additionally, she'll claim the cost of the materials and shipping on her taxes, she added. 

Similarly, Nichole Sesti, the founder of the vintage store The Niche Shop, writes off the money she spends on paid advertising and influencer marketing on Instagram and TikTok. 

4. Travel expenses

Cody May runs his business as a digital nomad and frequently travels for work.

Courtesy of Cody May

Since Sesti sources the inventory for her shop from around the world, she writes off the costs of airfare, lodging, and food for her business trips.

Similarly, Cody May, a digital nomad and real-estate marketer, writes off travel expenses for any business conferences he attends.

Even local business trips that require only a tank of gas or visits to the post office can be written off, Diaz said. She uses the QuickBooks Online mobile app to track where she drives for business-related errands and meetings.

5. Rent and utilities

Home office spaces also count toward business expenses.

Getty Images

Rent and utility expenses for home offices can be another write-off for entrepreneurs, Diaz and Lewis, who both work from home, said. 

"Any portion of your home that you use for business, and even typical bills like electric and water, can be write-offs when filing," Lewis added.

Overall, Diaz said the most important thing was to speak with a certified public accountant or financial advisor when determining which expenses you can write off. Be sure to find a professional who understands your values and business model to best prepare for the future, she added.

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