--- title: "Small Business Tax Deduction Checklist by Business Type" description: "A printable checklist of deductions to check for freelancers, sellers, trades, food, service businesses and notaries, with the records to keep." url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/bookkeeping/tax-deduction-checklist" --- Free tool # Small business tax deduction checklist ## Overview Pick your type of business. Tick off the deductions worth checking, and see the records to keep for each one before you meet your tax preparer. [![Intuit ProAdvisor Gold tier badge](/img/credentials/intuit-proadvisor-gold.png)](https://proadvisor.intuit.com/app/accountant/search?searchId=matthew-coleman77)Gold tier in Intuit's ProAdvisor program. [See my Intuit listing](https://proadvisor.intuit.com/app/accountant/search?searchId=matthew-coleman77) Keeping your own books? Tallyfinch does invoices, bank import and reports on your computer. [See Tallyfinch](/bookkeeping/mcc-books-downloadable-bookkeeping-software) Type of business Excel workbook ยท $24 ### Sole Proprietor Tax-Time Organizer Gather everything your tax preparer will ask for in one place, spot 1099s that do not match your records, and hand over a clean one-page summary. [See what is inside ($24)](/toolkits/sole-proprietor-tax-time-organizer) [Free sample](/toolkits/sole-proprietor-tax-time-organizer#free-starter)14-day full refund Share ## Put this tool on your own site Free to use. Paste this where you want it to appear. It runs in the visitor's browser, so nothing they enter is sent to us. [See every calculator you can embed](/embed) How it works ## How to use it Choose the business type closest to yours. You get a short list for that type plus the deductions common to most businesses. Tick what applies, then gather the receipts, bills and logs behind each one. It is a list of things to check, not advice about what you can claim. Your tax preparer decides, based on your facts and the current rules. Nothing you tick is sent or saved, so print it if you want to keep it. FAQ ## About this checklist **Is this a list of what I can deduct?** No. It is a list of items worth checking. Whether you can deduct something depends on your facts, your records and current rules, and your tax preparer decides. **Do I need receipts?** You need records that show the amount, date, vendor and business purpose. Keeping them in your bookkeeping software or a folder all year is much easier than finding them at tax time. **Can I deduct my home office?** If part of your home is used regularly and exclusively for business, you may qualify. Employees generally cannot claim this. There are simplified and actual-cost methods. **Are meals fully deductible?** Business meals are generally 50% deductible when business is discussed and you keep a record of who and why. Entertainment is generally not deductible. **What about mileage?** Driving between business locations and to clients can count. Commuting from home to a regular workplace generally does not. Keep a log, and use the current IRS standard mileage rate or actual costs. **Is anything saved?** No. The math runs in your browser and nothing you enter is sent to us. Check whether your records are ready with the [books-ready quiz](/bookkeeping/is-my-quickbooks-ready-for-taxes), plan payments with the [quarterly estimated tax calculator](/bookkeeping/quarterly-estimated-tax-calculator), or see all dates in the [tax deadline calendar](/bookkeeping/tax-deadlines). More free tools: [Receipt Expense Report](/bookkeeping/receipt-expense-report-python-script), [Bank Statement Converter](/bookkeeping/bank-statement-converter-python-script), [Rent Roll and Late Notices](/bookkeeping/rent-roll-late-notice-python-script), or [see all free tools](/free-tools). Free ### Month-End Close Checklist (PDF) The five-day close, one page to print. Enter your email and we send a link to confirm it is yours, then the download. We may email you about new toolkits, and every email has an unsubscribe link. General information, not tax or legal advice. [How we write and check our tools](/editorial-standards). ## Related - [Tax return preparation, flat prices](/tax-preparation) - [What to gather for your tax return](/tax-preparation/what-to-bring) Excel workbook ### Sole Proprietor Tax-Time Organizer Gather everything your tax preparer will ask for in one place, spot 1099s that do not match your records, and hand over a clean one-page summary. [See what is inside ($24)](/toolkits/sole-proprietor-tax-time-organizer) [Try the free starter](/toolkits/sole-proprietor-tax-time-organizer#free-starter) Also in the [Landlord Bundle](/toolkits/landlord-bundle): 3 products for $69 instead of $82 separately. Tallyfinch ### Books you keep on your own computer Tallyfinch does invoices, bills, bank import, reconciliation and the main reports, in a file you own. $99 once, then $5 a month for updates; the app keeps working if you stop the plan. It does not do payroll or sales tax filing. The free download records up to 60 entries. [See Tallyfinch](/bookkeeping/mcc-books-downloadable-bookkeeping-software) [Download it free](/tools/pro/trial/mccBooks) [Compare the three apps](/software) ## Want records that are ready at tax time? [See bookkeeping](/bookkeeping/)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)