What Is Deductible?

How this site works

Each page answers one specific question — like "Is home internet tax deductible?" — and explains who it applies to, when it's deductible, and when it's not. Most pages include Schedule C line references, worked examples, and a recordkeeping checklist.

This is a reference site, not tax advice. Rules vary by situation, so pages are written in a practical yes/no/depends format with conditions clearly stated.

Start here (60-second guide)

If you're trying to figure out whether something is tax deductible, the fastest approach is to treat it like a checklist. This site is organized as simple yes/no/depends lookups so you can quickly narrow down what applies to your situation.

1. Pick the closest topic — mileage, meals, home office, software, insurance, etc.
2. Read the short answer (yes/no/depends) to set expectations.
3. Check "When it's deductible" vs "When it's not" to find the rule that matches your scenario.
4. Look for allocation notes if the expense is mixed-use (business + personal).
5. Save the recordkeeping checklist so you can back up the claim later.

If your question is brand-specific or scenario-specific, check the "Specific lookups" section on the parent page for deeper answers.

What usually changes the answer

Many expenses are not a simple "yes" or "no" because tax treatment depends on how you use the item and whether you can support the business purpose. Across most categories on this site, these are the factors that determine deductibility:

• Business purpose: What income-generating activity does the expense support?
• Mixed personal use: If you also use it personally, you generally claim only the business-use portion.
• Allocation method: Common methods include square footage (home office), time-use, or percentage usage.
• Reimbursements: If you were reimbursed, you typically cannot deduct the same cost again.
• Reasonableness: Expenses that appear excessive for the context can be harder to justify.
• Documentation: Receipts, notes, and logs matter as much as the expense category itself.

Recordkeeping checklist (save this)

The simplest way to reduce tax stress is to keep the same set of records for each expense throughout the year. Most lookup pages end with a "Records" section — here's the short version you can reuse across all categories:

• Receipt or invoice showing what you bought and when.
• Proof of payment (card statement, bank record, payment confirmation).
• Business-purpose note — one sentence: what project or activity required this expense.
• Allocation note if mixed-use — your method and the business-use percentage.
• Logs when required — mileage log, travel details, attendee notes for meals.

This site focuses on clarity and practical examples. If your situation is unusual or high-dollar, consider getting professional tax advice.