<p>So far in this <a href="https://www.bigcommerce.com/blog/ecommerce-taxation/">Ecommerce Tax Handbook</a> we’ve covered <a href="https://www.bigcommerce.com/blog/?p=19434">sales tax</a>, <a href="https://www.bigcommerce.com/blog/amazon-fba-sales-tax/">Amazon FBA</a>, and <a href="https://www.bigcommerce.com/blog/business-taxes/">tax law deadlines</a>. Now we’re on to the fun stuff: <a href="http://blog.indinero.com/a-beginners-guide-to-small-business-tax-deductions">deductions</a>.</p>
<blockquote></p>
<p>Taxes are business as usual, but so are a lot of other things. Small business in the U.S. are fortunate to have plenty of possible deductions to save money where they can.</p>
<p></blockquote>
<p>Note that in order to use any of these deductions, you will need to prove the fees and cost. This means you need to keep receipts – all of them, and in an organized fashion.</p>
<p>Also, always consult with a tax advisor on when to use these and if you can. We’ve linked to several sites documenting when each deductible may apply to you. Not all of them will –– and some of the rules for being able to use the deduction can get quite granular.</p>
<p>Always double check with a tax expert to make sure you are neither overpaying or underpaying.</p>

<h2>92 Small Business Tax Deductions</h2>
<ol>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p334/ch08.html#en_US_2010_publink100025361">Accounting fees</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p334/ch08.html#en_US_2010_publink100025401">Advertising &amp; marketing</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p535/ch08.html">Amortization</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p334/ch08.html#en_US_2010_publink100025311">Bad debts that you cannot collect</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p334/ch08.html#en_US_2010_publink100025401">Banking fees</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p463/ch01.html#en_US_2010_publink100033773">Board meetings</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p535/index.html">Building repairs and maintenance</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p535/ch11.html#en_US_2010_publink1000209177">Business association membership dues</a></li>
<li><a href="http://blog.indinero.com/carpe-per-diem-all-about-travel-expenses-and-deductions/">Business travel (here’s what you need to know!)</a></li>
<li>Cafeteria health-insurance plan (requires plan)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.thezebra.com/insurance-news/1236/how-to-claim-your-car-insurance-as-a-tax-deduction/">Car expenses</a></li>
<li><a href="http://blog.indinero.com/the-socially-responsible-way-to-save-on-small-business-taxes">Charitable deductions made for a business purpose</a></li>
<li>Charity or traveling to perform charitable services</li>
<li>Cleaning/janitorial services</li>
<li>Collection expenses</li>
<li>Commissions to outside parties</li>
<li>Computers and tech supplies</li>
<li>Consulting fees</li>
<li>Continuing education for yourself to <a href="https://www.bigcommerce.com/ecommerce-answers/how-do-i-apply-ecommerce-business-license/">maintain licensing</a> and improve skills</li>
<li>Contractors</li>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p463/ch01.html#en_US_2010_publink100033843">Conventions and trade shows</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p535/ch11.html">Credit card convenience fees</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/publications/p334/ch08.html#en_US_2010_publink100025336">Depreciation</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p334/ch06.html">Discounts to customers</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p463/ch01.html#en_US_2010_publink100033781">Eating out while you’re traveling for business</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p535/ch11.html">Education and training for your employees</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p334/ch01.html#en_US_2010_publink100025068">Employee wages</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p334/ch01.html#en_US_2010_publink100025068">Employee benefits</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p463/ch02.html">Entertainment for customers and clients</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p334/ch08.html#en_US_2010_publink100025401">Equipment</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p334/ch08.html#en_US_2010_publink100025401">Equipment repairs</a></li>
<li>Exhibits for publicity</li>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p334/ch01.html#en_US_2010_publink100025068">Family members&#8217; wages</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p535/ch11.html">Franchise fees</a></li>
<li>Freelancers</li>
<li>Freight or shipping costs</li>
<li>Furniture or fixtures</li>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p463/ch03.html">Gifts for customers</a> or employees ($25 deduction limit for each)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p535/ch06.html">Group insurance</a> (if qualifying)</li>
<li>Guard dog</li>
<li>Gym for employees, located onsite</li>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p502/ar02.html#en_US_publink1000179150">Health insurance</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p334/ch08.html#en_US_2010_publink100025393">Home office</a> (<a href="http://blog.indinero.com/dont-miss-this-small-business-tax-deduction-4-things-you-need-to-know-about-writing-off-your-home-office/">see our handy article</a>)</li>
<li>Insurance premiums for credit, liability, malpractice, worker’s comp, and other insurance</li>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p334/ch08.html#en_US_2010_publink100025357">Interest</a></li>
<li>Internet hosting and services</li>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p334/ch06.html">Inventory</a></li>
<li>Investment advice and fees</li>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p334/ch08.html#en_US_2010_publink100025360">Legal fees</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p334/ch08.html#en_US_2010_publink100025401">License fees</a></li>
<li>Management fees</li>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p334/ch08.html#en_US_2010_publink100025401">Materials</a></li>
<li>Maintenance</li>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p502/ar02.html">Medical expenses</a> (with plan)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p535/ch04.html">Mortgage interest on business property</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p521/ar02.html#en_US_2010_publink1000203444">Moving</a></li>
<li>Newspapers and magazines</li>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p334/ch08.html#en_US_2010_publink100025401">Office supplies and expenses</a></li>
<li>Outside services</li>
<li>Payroll processing</li>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p334/ch01.html#en_US_2010_publink100025068">Payroll taxes for employees, including Social Security, Medicare taxes and unemployment taxes</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p463/ch04.html#en_US_2010_publink100033920">Parking and tolls</a></li>
<li>Penalties and fines paid for late performance or nonperformance of contracts</li>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p334/ch08.html#en_US_2010_publink100025362">Pension plans</a></li>
<li>Permits and fees</li>
<li>Postage</li>
<li>Profit sharing</li>
<li>Publicity</li>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p535/ch02.html#en_US_2010_publink1000208667">Prizes for contests</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p535/ch07.html">Real estate-related expenses</a></li>
<li>Rebates on sales</li>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p334/ch08.html#en_US_2010_publink100025364">Rent</a></li>
<li><a href="http://blog.indinero.com/startups-dont-forget-to-claim-the-rd-tax-credit/">Research and development (we literally wrote the guide on this one!)</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p334/ch08.html#en_US_2010_publink100025362">Retirement plans</a></li>
<li>Royalties</li>
<li>Safe-deposit box</li>
<li>Safe</li>
<li>Service fees</li>
<li>Software and online services</li>
<li>Startup expenses</li>
<li>Stereo equipment for playing background music at work</li>
<li>Storage rental</li>
<li>Subcontractors</li>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p334/ch08.html#en_US_2010_publink100025369">Taxes (amazingly, taxes incurred in running your business are deductible)</a></li>
<li>Telephone</li>
<li>Theft and loss</li>
<li>Tips. Just because you didn&#8217;t get a receipt doesn&#8217;t mean you can&#8217;t deduct the cost, but you should document it just the same.</li>
<li>Uniforms for your employees</li>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p334/ch08.html#en_US_2010_publink100025401">Utilities</a></li>
<li>Waste removal</li>
<li>Website design</li>
<li><a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p535/ch06.html">Workers&#8217; compensation insurance</a></li>
</ol>
<h2>11 Deductions to Avoid All Together</h2>
<ol>
<li>A small business loan—but you can deduct whatever you purchase with the loan</li>
<li>Business attire that you can wear outside of work (ie, non-uniforms)</li>
<li>Contributing your time to charity</li>
<li>Membership dues, even to a professional organization</li>
<li>Federal income tax payments</li>
<li>Your life and disability insurance premiums if you’re a sole prop., partnership, or S Corporation</li>
<li>Lobbyists</li>
<li>Penalties and fines you pay as the result of breaking the law</li>
<li>Political contributions</li>
<li>Professional accreditation fees</li>
<li>Your own salary if you&#8217;re a sole proprietor</li>
</ol>
<p>Questions, concerns or any other deductions we missed? Leave them in the comments below.</p>



ecommerce-sales-tax

92 Small Business Tax Deductions to Use Now (+11 You Should Never Try)