Tax Deductions for Writers or Bloggers

March 14th, 2023 → 1:00 pm @ Carol

Here are some common tax deductions for writers, authors, bloggers and self-publishers:

Advertising and promotional costs including your website, ads, bookmarks and business cards that serve as advertisements.

Commission and fees. If you have a co-author or affiliate that you pay a commission or royalties, record it here.
Some authors put their Paypal or shopping cart fees from sales in this category, too. Or you can put merchant fees under cost of goods sold. Either place is allowed.

Car expenses. Use a mileage log or a calendar. The IRS requires the records be kept contemporaneously, meaning you should not rely on your memory. Estimates are not allowed; there must be actual mileage records.
The IRS sets the per mile rate and adjusts it annually. In 2017 it was 53 1/2 cents per mile in 2018 it will be 54 1/2 cents per mile, up one cent per mile.

Contract labor for your editor, graphic designer, or anyone you hire as an independent contractor.

Other helpful business tips can be found in my book Business Tips and Taxes for Writers

Carol Topp, CPA

Comments are closed.

Taxes for Writers