Even savvy freelancers often miss deductions that could significantly reduce tax liability. The IRS offers legitimate ways for freelancers to deduct business-related costs, but it’s not always obvious which expenses qualify and which ones cross the line into nondeductible territory. This confusion is made worse when we see some of the terrible advice from so-called “experts” on social media. In this article, we’ll explore the most commonly missed deductions for freelancers, highlight real-world examples, and review what tax professionals need to keep in mind when advising these clients.
The Tips Deduction and the Self-Employed: Potholes Everywhere
Jason Dinesen, CPA
By now, tax professionals and taxpayers are familiar with the fact that the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBBA) created a new tax deduction for tips received. What we want to look at in this article is — how do self-employed taxpayers handle this deduction?
