9 Tax Write-Offs for House Cleaners in 2026
Self-employed house cleaners and maids can deduct cleaning supplies, vehicle expenses, equipment, insurance, marketing costs, and uniforms. These deductions apply whether you work independently or through a cleaning platform.
Deductible Expenses
| Deduction | Schedule C Line | Typical Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning Supplies | Line 22 | $300 — $2,000/yr |
| Vehicle / Mileage | Line 9 | $2,000 — $8,000/yr |
| Equipment | Line 22 | $200 — $1,500/yr |
| Business Insurance | Line 15 | $300 — $1,000/yr |
| Marketing & Advertising | Line 8 | $100 — $1,500/yr |
| Uniforms & Aprons | Line 27 | $50 — $300/yr |
| Phone & Communication | Line 25 | $300 — $800/yr |
| Background Checks & Bonding | Line 27 | $50 — $200/yr |
| Vehicle Expenses | Line 9 | $1,500 — $5,000/yr |
Cleaning Supplies
Vehicle / Mileage
Equipment
Business Insurance
Marketing & Advertising
Uniforms & Aprons
Phone & Communication
Background Checks & Bonding
Vehicle Expenses
Deduction Details
Cleaning Supplies
Schedule C Line 22 · $300 — $2,000/yr
Cleaning solutions, disinfectants, paper towels, sponges, microfiber cloths, trash bags, and other consumable supplies.
Vehicle / Mileage
Schedule C Line 9 · $2,000 — $8,000/yr
Driving between client homes and to supply stores. House cleaners often drive 8,000-12,000+ business miles per year.
Equipment
Schedule C Line 22 · $200 — $1,500/yr
Vacuum cleaners, mops, buckets, spray bottles, caddy organizers, step ladders, and other cleaning equipment.
Business Insurance
Schedule C Line 15 · $300 — $1,000/yr
General liability insurance and bonding that protects against property damage, theft claims, and injuries on client properties.
Marketing & Advertising
Schedule C Line 8 · $100 — $1,500/yr
Website, Thumbtack or Handy listings, business cards, door hangers, Nextdoor posts, and referral incentives.
Uniforms & Aprons
Schedule C Line 27 · $50 — $300/yr
Company-branded shirts, aprons, and work clothing not suitable for everyday wear. Includes laundering costs.
Phone & Communication
Schedule C Line 25 · $300 — $800/yr
Business percentage of your cell phone for scheduling, client communication, and sending arrival notifications.
Background Checks & Bonding
Schedule C Line 27 · $50 — $200/yr
Background check fees and surety bond costs that build client trust and are required by some cleaning platforms.
Vehicle Expenses
Schedule C Line 9 · $1,500 — $5,000/yr
If using actual expense method: gas, oil changes, tires, repairs, and car washes for your work vehicle.
General Freelancer Deductions
In addition to profession-specific write-offs, most self-employed individuals can claim these deductions:
Home Office Deduction
30 (Form 8829)
If you use a dedicated space in your home regularly and exclusively for business, you can deduct it. Simplified method: $5 per square foot, up to 300 sq ft ($1,500 max). Regular method: proportionate share of rent/mortgage, utilities, insurance, and repairs.
Self-Employment Tax Deduction
Form 1040, Line 15
You can deduct the employer-equivalent portion of self-employment tax (7.65% of net earnings) as an above-the-line deduction on your Form 1040.
Health Insurance Premiums
Form 1040, Line 17
Self-employed individuals can deduct 100% of health, dental, and vision insurance premiums for themselves, their spouse, and dependents.
Retirement Contributions
Form 1040, Line 16
Contributions to a SEP-IRA (up to 25% of net earnings), Solo 401(k), or SIMPLE IRA are deductible and reduce both income tax and self-employment tax.
Qualified Business Income (QBI) Deduction
Form 1040, Line 13
Most self-employed individuals can deduct up to 20% of qualified business income under Section 199A, subject to income limits and business type.
What This Looks Like When You Actually Work
A list of 9 write-offs is only worth money if you can still put your hands on the paperwork next April. Most house cleaners cannot, because the receipts arrive in the middle of a job — not at a desk.
TaxTidy is built for that moment. Photograph the receipt where you are standing and it reads the vendor, the amount and the date in about three seconds, then drops the expense on the Schedule C line from the table above. It learns your regular suppliers as it goes, so the places you buy from every week stop asking to be sorted at all.
When you come back from a week of jobs with a fistful of paper, Shoebox Mode takes the whole pile in one sitting. Your Audit Readiness Score then tells you what is still missing — an expense with no receipt behind it, a charge nobody categorized — so the gap gets closed while you still remember what it was for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can house cleaners deduct cleaning supplies they bring to jobs?
Yes. Cleaning solutions, sponges, paper towels, and all supplies you bring to client homes are deductible on Schedule C Line 22 (Supplies). If the client provides supplies, those are not your expense.
Is bonding tax-deductible for house cleaners?
Yes. Surety bond premiums are deductible on Schedule C Line 27 (Other expenses). Bonding protects clients against theft and is a common expectation in the cleaning industry.
Can I deduct mileage driving between client homes?
Yes. Driving between clients is deductible business mileage. Your first trip from home and last trip back may be considered commuting unless you have a qualifying home office.
TaxTidy provides expense organization tools based on the most current US tax law available to it. TaxTidy is not a CPA, Enrolled Agent, or licensed tax professional. All categorizations, deductions, and tax calculations are estimates. Please verify all data for accuracy and consult a certified tax professional before filing.
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