Top 10 Tax Deductions Every Freelancer & Creative in Los Angeles Should Know
Running your own business in LA? Whether you’re a designer, content creator, musician, or consultant, you’re likely leaving money on the table if you’re not maximizing your tax deductions.
At Velin & Associates, Inc., we specialize in helping independent professionals like you make sense of the tax code—and save more of your hard-earned income. Here are the Top 10 Tax Deductions you should know about:
1. Home Office Deduction
If you work from home, you may be able to deduct a portion of your rent or mortgage, utilities, and internet. It must be a dedicated workspace.
2. Travel Expenses
Travel for gigs, meetings, or conferences? Flights, hotels, and 50% of meals may be deductible—just keep good records.
3. Equipment & Software
From cameras and microphones to design software and editing apps, gear used for your business is typically deductible.
4. Phone & Internet
If you use your phone and internet for business, you can deduct the business-use portion. Consider tracking usage for accuracy.
5. Subcontractors & Assistants
Paying a video editor, producer, or VA? Wages paid to freelancers or contractors are a write-off—just make sure to file 1099s.
6. Continuing Education
Online courses, creative workshops, certifications, and industry events that keep your skills sharp can be written off.
7. Car & Mileage
If you drive for client meetings, errands, or gigs, you can deduct mileage or actual expenses like gas and maintenance.
8. Marketing & Branding
Website design, advertising, printing business cards, even social media ad campaigns—these costs are all deductible.
9. Office Supplies & Subscriptions
Think printers, notebooks, Adobe Creative Cloud, Dropbox, and other subscriptions—these add up and are fully deductible.
10. Quarterly Estimated Taxes
Paying your estimated taxes on time helps avoid penalties—and is a crucial part of staying in control of your cash flow.
📍Los Angeles Tax Experts Who Understand Creatives
Navigating deductions doesn’t have to be stressful. As a top-rated CPA Los Angeles firm, we offer tailored accounting services in Los Angeles for freelancers, artists, and small business owners.
📞 Let’s maximize your deductions and minimize your stress!
Call us today: 323-902-1000
Email: dmitriy@losangelescpa.org
🌐 www.losangelescpa.org
Our firm provides the information in this e-newsletter for general guidance only, and does not constitute the provision of legal advice, tax advice, accounting services, investment advice, or professional consulting of any kind. The information provided herein should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional tax, accounting, legal, or other competent advisers. Before making any decision or taking any action, you should consult a professional adviser who has been provided with all pertinent facts relevant to your particular situation. Tax articles in this e-newsletter are not intended to be used, and cannot be used by any taxpayer, for the purpose of avoiding accuracy-related penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer. The information is provided "as is," with no assurance or guarantee of completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the information, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of performance, merchantability, and fitness for a particular purpose.