Reviewed by
a tax professional
NAICS code:
611000
Whether you teach online or in person, your day's spent helping others learn. So you might not want to spend your after-school hours teaching yourself how to file your self-employment taxes. We're here to help make the learning curve a little less steep with a list of common write-offs for independent teachers and tutors.
From classroom supplies (including virtual backdrops if you teach online!) to the cost of flying to an out-of-town education conference, there's a long list of deductions you can claim to save money on your taxes.
🖼️
Classroom decorations
Write it off using:
Schedule C, Box 27a
Decorations to make your classroom (or filming backdrop) learning-friendly are tax write-offs.
🧸
Teaching props
Write it off using:
Schedule C, Box 22
Deduct any props you use during lessons to help students understand concepts.
🏆
Student rewards
Write it off using:
Schedule C, Box 22
From gold stars to bigger prizes, rewards for student achievements can be deducted.
🖥️
Electronic devices
Write it off using:
Schedule C, Box 18
Computers, extra monitors, webcams, and microphones needed to teach are write-offs.
💻
Education software
Write it off using:
Schedule C, Box 18
Turnitin, Copyscape, or other software you use to grade papers or teach can be written off.
📱
Phone & accessories
Write it off using:
Schedule C, Box 27a
Part of your actual phone's cost, monthly phone bill, and any accessories you use for work can be written off.
If you drive for work ...
As a teacher, you might spend school nights or weekends picking up classroom and office materials or driving to and from school.
If that's the case, you can write off vehicle-related expenses.
🅿️
Parking
Write it off using:
Schedule C, Box 27a
Parking for a meeting downtown, or any other work trip, is tax-deductible!
🛣️
Tolls
Write it off using:
Schedule C, Box 27a
A toll while driving to or from a work destination is tax-deductible!
🚘
Car purchase & depreciation
Write it off using:
Schedule C, Box 13
If you buy a new car, you can write off part of the cost every year for five years.
🧰
Vehicle tool kit
Write it off using:
Schedule C, Box 22
Flashlights, tire iron, duct tape, and other tools you may need in your vehicle are deductible.
☂️
Car insurance & registration
Write it off using:
Schedule C, Box 15
Car insurance monthly fees, registration, even roadside assistance are partially deductible.
🔧
Car maintenance
Write it off using:
Schedule C, Box 9
Oil changes, repairs, and regular checkups are all tax-deductible if you drive for work.
If you discuss work at a restaurant ...
If the purpose is to talk about work, meeting with an administrator, fellow teacher, or student's parents at a restaurant counts as a business meal. So you can deduct the costs on your Schedule C.
🍔
Business meals
Write it off using:
Schedule C, Box 24b
If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it's a write-off!
If you leave town for work ...
If you get hired for a short-term teaching gig abroad, or attend a teaching conference in a different city, you can claim business trip expenses.
🛫
Transportation
Write it off using:
Schedule C, Box 24a
Planes, trains, and car rentals are all work-related travel costs that can be written off.
🏨
Travel lodging
Write it off using:
Schedule C, Box 24a
When you travel for work, lodging expenses such as hotel rooms or Airbnb are write offs.
🥡
Meals while traveling
Write it off using:
Schedule C, Box 24a
When you're traveling for work, all meals are tax-deductible. Even takeout!
If you work from home ...
Whether you teach virtually on a full-time basis or take care of extracurricular tasks from an at-home workspace, like grading papers or lesson planning, you can write home office deductions off on your Schedule C.
🛋️
Home office furniture
Write it off using:
Schedule C, Box 18
A desk, chairs, lamps, and other home office necessities are all tax write-offs.
🛠️
Property repairs
Write it off using:
Schedule C, Box 21
You can write off up to $2,500 for individual repairs to your property.
🔌
Power bill
Write it off using:
Form 8829
Gotta keep the lights on in your home office! A portion of your electricity bill counts.
🌪️
Property insurance
Write it off using:
Form 8829
Whether it's rental or homeowners insurance, you can write off a portion through your home office deduction.
🚰
Water bill
Write it off using:
Form 8829
It'd be hard to work in an office without running water, huh? You water bill counts.
🌐
Wi-Fi bill
Write it off using:
Schedule C, Box 25
Your Comcast bill is a tax write-off. You need internet to do your job!
