8 Tax Write-Offs for Virtual Assistants in 2026
Freelance virtual assistants can deduct computer equipment, software subscriptions, internet and phone costs, home office expenses, and professional development. These deductions apply to all VA services from admin to social media management.
Deductible Expenses
| Deduction | Schedule C Line | Typical Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Computer & Equipment | Line 18 | $800 — $2,500/yr |
| Software Subscriptions | Line 18 | $300 — $2,000/yr |
| Internet Service | Line 25 | $600 — $1,200/yr |
| Phone & Communication | Line 25 | $300 — $800/yr |
| Home Office | Line 30 | $1,500 — $4,000/yr |
| Professional Development | Line 27 | $100 — $1,000/yr |
| Office Supplies | Line 22 | $50 — $300/yr |
| Marketing & Advertising | Line 8 | $100 — $800/yr |
Computer & Equipment
Software Subscriptions
Internet Service
Phone & Communication
Home Office
Professional Development
Office Supplies
Marketing & Advertising
Deduction Details
Computer & Equipment
Schedule C Line 18 · $800 — $2,500/yr
Laptop, monitor, keyboard, mouse, webcam, and headset used for virtual assistant work.
Software Subscriptions
Schedule C Line 18 · $300 — $2,000/yr
Project management (Asana, Trello), communication (Slack, Zoom), scheduling (Calendly), bookkeeping, and social media management tools.
Internet Service
Schedule C Line 25 · $600 — $1,200/yr
Business percentage of your internet bill. A reliable, fast connection is essential for virtual assistant work.
Phone & Communication
Schedule C Line 25 · $300 — $800/yr
Business percentage of your cell phone for client calls, messaging, and virtual meetings.
Home Office
Schedule C Line 30 · $1,500 — $4,000/yr
Dedicated workspace for your VA business. Simplified method: $5/sq ft up to $1,500. Regular method: actual expenses.
Professional Development
Schedule C Line 27 · $100 — $1,000/yr
VA training courses, certifications, webinars, and skill-building programs that improve your virtual assistant services.
Office Supplies
Schedule C Line 22 · $50 — $300/yr
Notebooks, pens, printer paper, ink, organizational supplies, and other materials used for your VA business.
Marketing & Advertising
Schedule C Line 8 · $100 — $800/yr
Website, LinkedIn Premium, Upwork or Fiverr fees, business cards, and social media advertising.
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 8 write-offs is only worth money if you can still put your hands on the paperwork next April. Most virtual assistants 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 virtual assistants deduct software subscriptions?
Yes. All business software — project management, communication, scheduling, social media tools — is deductible on Schedule C Line 18 (Office expense).
Is a home office deductible for virtual assistants?
Yes. Since VAs work from home, a dedicated home office space is deductible. Use the simplified method ($5/sq ft, up to $1,500) or regular method for a larger deduction.
Can I deduct Upwork or Fiverr platform fees?
Yes. Platform service fees are deductible as commissions on Schedule C Line 10 (Commissions and fees). These are ordinary business expenses for freelance VAs.
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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