Top 12 Tax Deductions for Self-Employed Writers

Plot twists. Gripping dialogue. Page-turning suspense. Writers of all kinds can appreciate a good read. Unfortunately, tax paperwork doesn’t deliver on that front. But we’re here to help you navigate self-employed taxes, without the confusion. 

As a self-employed writer, you can claim tax deductions to reduce your taxable income and keep more money in your pocket. Understanding your tax deductions is like mastering your voice and style—it takes some practice, but once you get it down, every piece you write gets stronger (and more profitable).

Top 12 Tax Deductions for Copywriters

1. Office and Workspace Expenses

Your office is more than just a workspace; it's where ideas come to life and deadlines get conquered. Whether you rent a co-working space or write from home, your workspace expenses are likely your largest deductible category. Office rent, utilities, furniture, and basic supplies all typically qualify as necessary business expenses.

For traditional office spaces:

If you rent a physical office space or co-working membership exclusively for your writing business, the deduction is straightforward. You can typically deduct the costs of rent and utilities, such as electricity, gas, water, internet services, and even cleaning fees. This includes WeWork memberships, shared creative spaces, or that monthly desk rental at your favorite co-working spot.

For home offices:

Many writers work from home these days. To qualify for a home office deduction, the space must be your primary place of business and used exclusively for professional purposes. This means the area shouldn't double as a personal space, like a family dining room or bedroom.

One important note: If your local coffee shop is your favorite "office," you can't deduct those daily lattes as office rent. The coffee itself isn't a business expense, even if that's where you do your best work.

Find out what’s eligible to deduct and step-by-step instructions on how to calculate your deduction. Learn everything about the home office deduction →

2. Equipment, Software, and Digital Tools

Your tech stack is the backbone of your business, and most hardware purchases are fully deductible in the year you buy them. This covers the obvious stuff like computers, laptops, and monitors, but don't forget about the smaller items that add up: mechanical keyboards for marathon writing sessions, noise-canceling headphones for focus, external hard drives for client storage, and ergonomic accessories that keep you comfortable during long projects.

Software subscriptions are typically deductible, too. Grammarly Premium, Scrivener, Notion for project management, Google Workspace, Dropbox Business, Calendly for scheduling, and Canva Pro all qualify as business expenses. Whether you pay monthly or annually doesn't matter—if it supports your writing business, it's likely deductible.

Use some of these tools for both business and personal expenses? You can only deduct the business percentage. For example, if you use your laptop to crank out client work but spend the weekends binge-watching Netflix, you should deduct the work percentage.

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3. Research Materials and Subscriptions

Great writing starts with great research, and the resources you invest in to stay informed and skilled are typically tax-deductible business expenses. This category covers a wide range of knowledge investments that directly support your writing business.

Industry subscriptions and memberships often form the backbone of professional development. Don't overlook digital research tools either—stock photo subscriptions like Shutterstock or Unsplash Pro, competitor analysis platforms, SEO tools, and specialized database access can add up to significant deductible expenses.

Books and reference materials deserve particular attention. Professional writing guides, style manuals (think AP Stylebook or Chicago Manual of Style), industry handbooks, and niche-specific references are all fair game for deductions. Whether you buy physical copies or digital versions doesn't matter—if it helps you do your job better, it's likely deductible.

The critical requirement is business relevance. Resources must directly connect to your writing work and professional expertise. That copywriting psychology book? Deductible. The latest bestselling novel you're reading for pleasure? Not so much—unless you're a book reviewer or literary critic, where staying current with popular fiction is part of your professional responsibility.

4. Professional Development and Education

Staying sharp means continuous learning, and the IRS recognizes this. You can typically deduct education that maintains or improves your current skills as a writer, such as

• Training and courses, like AWAI copywriting programs, Copy School intensives, HubSpot certifications, and niche-specific workshops, are typically deductible.

• Industry events, including local meetups, virtual summits, and professional association memberships, likely qualify.

• Coaching and masterminds, such as one-on-one writing coaches, business mentorship programs, or mastermind group memberships that focus on growing your writing business are also typically deductible.

Remember: In today’s digital world, these learning opportunities don’t have to be in person. Virtual continuing education is often more accessible, both with scheduling and in pricing. 

The only exception? Education that qualifies you for a completely new profession usually isn't deductible. But training that makes you better at what you already do? That's typically a business expense. For example, if you're already a freelance copywriter and take an advanced course on email marketing copy, that's likely deductible—it improves your existing skills.

5. Contract Labor and Professional Services 

Running a writing business means knowing when to bring in the pros. Copy editors for your marketing materials, proofreaders for client deliverables, and graphic designers for lead magnets are all typically deductible expenses. So are researchers for data-heavy content and translators for multilingual campaigns.

It doesn’t just stop at writing-related assistance. Business support services count, too. Bookkeepers, tax professionals, attorneys for contract review, business coaches, virtual assistants for admin tasks, and web developers for landing pages all directly support your practice and qualify as deductible expenses.

Did you know? Managing 1099s and contractor payments is even easier with Found's contractor management tools. There are no per-contractor fees, which means it's not even a business expense to deduct. Learn how to onboard, pay, and manage your 1099 contractors. →

6. Communication Tools

You’re a writer, which means you’re a pro communicator. It is your livelihood after all. Staying connected with clients is essential, and the business portion of these costs is typically deductible. High-speed internet for video calls, business phone lines, upgraded mobile plans for professional use, and international calling for global clients all qualify.

Communication software like Zoom Pro subscriptions, Slack paid plans, and professional email services are equally deductible. Just keep records of your business usage to calculate accurate deductions, especially for shared services like home internet.

7. ​​Insurance Premiums

Protecting your business and livelihood isn’t just smart—it’s also probably deductible. Types of deductible insurance include: 

• Professional liability insurance: Also known as errors and omissions insurance, this protects you from claims alleging mistakes, missed deadlines, or inadequate work in your writing services. Essential for copywriters and content creators working with high-stakes clients.

• General business insurance: This includes coverage for your office space and equipment. Whether it's protection against theft of your expensive laptop, fire damage to your home office, or other unexpected damages, these insurance costs are typically deductible.

• Cyber liability insurance: Protects against data breaches and helps cover costs if client information is compromised. Particularly important for writers who handle sensitive client data or work with healthcare and financial companies.

Health insurance gets special treatment. As a self-employed writer, you can often deduct premiums for yourself, your spouse, and dependents. The catch is that this deduction can't exceed your business profit, and it doesn't apply if you can get coverage through a spouse's employer plan.

Need coverage guidance? Find out which insurance types are essential and get step-by-step guidance on choosing coverage for your business.* Learn everything about business insurance →

8. Travel and Transportation

Business travel expenses are typically deductible when the primary purpose is professional. Conference attendance, client meetings outside your normal work area, research trips, and networking events in other cities all qualify.

Travel you do for your writing business is typically deductible. This includes daily travel like driving to see a client, and overnight travel. For overnight trips, you can often deduct your airfare or other travel costs, hotel, and 50% of your meal expenses. 

For vehicle expenses, you've got two options:

• The standard mileage method allows you to track business miles and multiply them by the IRS rate. (The 2025 rate is 70 cents per mile.)

• The actual expenses method means tracking all vehicle costs and deducting the business percentage. 

Either way, you’ll need to keep detailed mileage logs with dates, purposes, and distances. There are some intricacies of which method you choose, so it’s worth doing a bit of research to find out which one is best for you. 

9. Marketing and Business Promotion

Getting clients requires marketing, and these promotional expenses are typically deductible. Whether it’s a website to host your portfolio, LinkedIn Premium to find new clients, or paid advertising campaigns, these all typically count as business expenses.

Traditional marketing materials matter, too. Business cards, professional headshots, networking event fees, and trade show participation help build your client base and are generally deductible.

10. Professional Representation and Legal Services

Not every writer needs a literary agent, but most successful writers eventually need legal help. Whether you're working with agents, negotiating contracts, or protecting your intellectual property, these professional services are typically deductible business expenses.

For writers with representation: Agent commission fees (usually around 15%), query letter consultation services, manuscript critiques, and publishing industry networking events all qualify. This extends to specialized representation like screenwriting agents and speaking bureau fees.

For writers going solo: Attorney fees for contract review, trademark applications, copyright registrations, and business formation are all deductible. Legal consultation for client disputes, non-disclosure agreements, and intellectual property protection can add up but are legitimate business expenses.

Fee structures differ, but an agent's fee is often deducted from the author's earnings before the author receives their share of the proceeds. For legal services, you typically pay upfront and can deduct the full cost in the year it is paid.

11. Startup Costs

Launching a new writing business? You may be able to deduct up to $5,000 in startup costs during your first year. This covers initial website development, business registration and licensing, first-year software subscriptions, professional headshots, initial marketing materials, and business setup consultations.

If your startup costs exceed $5,000, you'll need to amortize the excess over 15 years. Talk to a CPA for more information. 

12. Qualified Business Income (QBI) Deduction

Here’s a big one:  you can potentially deduct up to 20% of your qualified business income. This applies to your net business profit—income minus all those expenses we just covered, potentially saving thousands in taxes. 

Most writers structured as sole proprietorships, partnerships, S Corps, or LLCs qualify for this deduction, though income limitations and complex rules apply. It's worth speaking with a tax professional to make sure you qualify and maximize this benefit.

6 Steps to Maximizing Tax Deductions for Your Copywriting Business

As a freelance writer, you're already investing in your craft—whether it's that grammar guide you couldn't resist, your monthly Grammarly subscription, or the coffee shop where you write your best work. The good news? Most of these expenses could potentially lower your tax bill when you track them properly. Here’s how:

• Set up a separate business bank account for all writing-related income and expenses

• Keep digital receipts organized by deduction category

• Review your expenses monthly to find any deductions you might have overlooked

• Log any business travel and client meeting expenses

• Keep a running list of equipment and technology purchases

• Document the business purpose for expenses that are used for professional and personal purposes, such as your internet service or home office space

Get a Handle on Your Small Business Finances with Found

Loves crafting the perfect sentence but dread dealing with spreadsheets and numbers? Let Found do the number-crunching for you. Found combines business banking, bookkeeping, invoicing, and contractor management into one platform built specifically for small business owners like copywriters.

With features like automatic expense categorization, real-time tax estimates, and invoicing, Found makes it easy to see your finances in one spot. With Found, you stay organized year-round so you can focus on what you do best: turning ideas into compelling words that captivate your readers.

Banking built for writers

Found's built-in tax tools automatically track and categorize your business expenses, so you can spend more time writing.

Get started

Frequently asked questions about writer tax deductions

What receipts do writers need to keep for tax deductions?

Writers typically need to keep receipts for all business-related expenses, including office supplies, equipment purchases, software subscriptions, and professional development courses. The IRS typically requires documentation that shows the amount, date, and business purpose of each expense. Digital receipts are generally acceptable, and most tax professionals recommend keeping records for at least three years.

Can freelance copywriters deduct the cost of a new laptop as a business expense?

Yes, freelance copywriters can typically deduct the purchase of a laptop as a business expense if it is used primarily for work. You usually have two options: deduct the full cost in the year of purchase or depreciate over several years. (Most copywriters find the immediate deduction more beneficial). Remember: If you use the laptop for both business and personal activities, you can generally only deduct the business percentage. 

What's the best way to track business expenses as a copywriter?

Most copywriters start with basic expense tracking methods like spreadsheets or labels in your email inbox, but this approach can quickly become overwhelming as your business grows. The most effective solution is typically a dedicated platform that can photograph receipts, automatically categorize expenses, and integrate with your bank accounts. Found offers exactly these features designed specifically for freelancers, making it simple to stay organized and tax-ready year-round.

Are copywriting courses and professional development tax-deductible?

Yes, copywriting courses and professional development expenses are generally tax-deductible as business education expenses. This typically includes online courses, workshops, conferences, certifications, and books that help maintain or improve skills needed in your current business. However, education that qualifies you for a completely new trade usually isn't deductible.

The information on this website is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on, for tax advice. 

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