Can I deduct clothing I wear in videos?

Only if the clothing is not suitable for everyday wear and is used exclusively for content creation (costumes, uniforms, character outfits). Regular clothing you wear in videos (a nice shirt, business casual) is NOT deductible even if you bought it specifically for filming. The IRS standard is whether the clothing is adaptable to general use.

Can I deduct my entire internet bill?

Only the business-use percentage. If you estimate 60% of your internet usage is for content creation and business, deduct 60% of the cost. Claiming 100% when you also stream Netflix and browse social media personally is indefensible in an audit.

Are products I receive for free review deductible?

You do not deduct products you received for free because you did not pay for them. However, you also do not need to report the product's value as income UNLESS the brand specifically required you to keep the product as part of your compensation (in which case it is income at fair market value).

Can I deduct a vacation if I filmed content during the trip?

Only if the PRIMARY purpose of the trip was business. Filming one vlog during a week-long vacation does not make the trip deductible. If the primary purpose was business (visiting a brand HQ, attending a conference, filming at a specific location), you can deduct travel costs. Personal extension days are not deductible.

Guide

Tax DeductionsContent CreatorSchedule CUSA

Every Tax Deduction Content Creators Can Claim (2026)

Every dollar of legitimate business deduction reduces your taxable income AND your self-employment tax. A $1,000 deduction saves a creator in the 22% tax bracket approximately $375 in combined taxes ($220 income tax + $153 SE tax). Most creators miss thousands in deductions every year because they do not know what qualifies. Here is the complete list.

Last updated: February 26, 2026

Step-by-Step Guide

Review this complete deduction list

Go through every category and identify deductions you are currently missing. Most creators find $2,000-$10,000 in missed deductions the first time they do this exercise.

Set up expense tracking by category

Create categories in your bookkeeping software matching Schedule C line items. Categorize every transaction as it occurs, not at year-end.

Document the business purpose

For every deduction, have a receipt AND a note explaining the business purpose. 'Camera for YouTube filming' is sufficient. Receipts alone are not enough.

Calculate mixed-use percentages

For items used for both business and personal (phone, internet, car), determine and document the business-use percentage. Be reasonable — claiming 100% business use for your personal phone invites audit scrutiny.

Review deductions quarterly

Every quarter, review your expense categories to catch miscategorized transactions and identify patterns where you might be missing deductions.

Equipment and technology deductions

Section 179 deduction lets you deduct the full cost of business equipment in the year you buy it, rather than depreciating it over multiple years. The 2026 limit is approximately $1,220,000.

Fully deductible equipment:
- Cameras and lenses
- Microphones and audio equipment
- Lighting equipment (ring lights, softboxes, studio lights)
- Tripods, gimbals, and stabilizers
- Computers and monitors used for editing
- External hard drives and storage devices
- Smartphones (business-use percentage)
- Drones
- Green screens and backdrops
- Studio furniture (desk, chair)

Software subscriptions (100% deductible):
- Video editing software (Premiere Pro, Final Cut, DaVinci Resolve)
- AI content tools (FluxNote, etc.)
- Graphic design tools (Canva, Photoshop)
- Music licensing (Epidemic Sound, Artlist)
- Cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox)
- Scheduling tools (Buffer, Later, Hootsuite)
- Email marketing (ConvertKit, Mailchimp)
- Website hosting and domain registration
- Project management (Notion, Asana)
- Accounting software (QuickBooks, Wave)

Internet and phone (business percentage only):
If you use your home internet 60% for business, deduct 60% of the annual cost. Same for your phone plan. Document the percentage with a reasonable estimate.

Home office, travel, and meals

Home office deduction (two methods):

Simplified method: $5 per square foot of dedicated office space, up to 300 square feet. Maximum deduction: $1,500. Easy, no complex calculations.

Actual expense method: Calculate the percentage of your home used for business (office square footage ÷ total home square footage). Apply that percentage to rent/mortgage interest, utilities, insurance, repairs, and depreciation. Can exceed $1,500 but requires detailed records.

Requirement: The space must be used REGULARLY and EXCLUSIVELY for business. A desk in your bedroom does not qualify unless that portion is used only for business.

Travel deductions (100% deductible):
- Airfare for business travel (conferences, filming locations, brand meetings)
- Hotel accommodations during business travel
- Rental cars and rideshares for business purposes
- Conference and event registration fees
- VidCon, Playlist Live, Creator Economy Expo, and similar industry events
- Travel to filming locations

Vehicle expenses (choose one method):
- Standard mileage rate: 67 cents per mile (2024 rate; check IRS for 2026)
- Actual expense method: Gas, insurance, repairs, depreciation × business-use percentage
- Keep a mileage log with date, destination, purpose, and miles for every business trip

Meals (50% deductible):
- Meals during business travel
- Meals with clients, sponsors, or collaborators where business is discussed
- NOT deductible: Meals while working at your home office, everyday lunches
- Keep receipts with the date, attendees, and business purpose noted

Contractors, education, and other deductions

Contract labor (100% deductible):
- Video editors
- Thumbnail designers
- Writers and scriptwriters
- Virtual assistants
- Social media managers
- Accountants and CPAs
- Attorneys
- Photographers

Education and professional development (100% deductible):
- Online courses related to content creation, marketing, or business
- Books and audiobooks related to your business
- Coaching or mentoring programs
- Industry membership fees (creator unions, professional associations)
- Workshops and masterclasses

Marketing and advertising:
- Social media advertising (boosting posts, running ads)
- Business cards and promotional materials
- Website design and development
- SEO tools and services
- PR and outreach tools

Insurance premiums:
- General liability insurance
- Equipment insurance
- E&O / professional liability insurance
- Self-employed health insurance (deducted on Form 1040, not Schedule C)

Other commonly missed deductions:
- Bank and payment processing fees (PayPal fees, Stripe fees, etc.)
- Props and products purchased for content (if not for personal use)
- Costumes and clothing used exclusively for content (not everyday clothing)
- Music and sound effects licenses
- Stock footage and images
- Shipping costs for products received for review
- Business gifts to collaborators or clients ($25 limit per person per year)

Disclaimer: This is general information, not tax advice. Every deduction must meet the IRS standard of 'ordinary and necessary' for your business. Consult a CPA to ensure your deductions are properly documented and defensible.

Pro Tips

The Section 179 deduction lets you write off the full cost of equipment in year one — no need to depreciate a $3,000 camera over 5 years
If you buy equipment for business and personal use (like a laptop), only the business-use percentage is deductible — a 70% business use laptop costing $2,000 yields a $1,400 deduction
The home office deduction is one of the most audited items — make sure your space is truly used regularly and exclusively for business
Travel must have a primary business purpose to be deductible — adding a filming day to a personal vacation does not make the whole trip deductible
Props and products used in videos are deductible IF they are not for personal use — a blender reviewed for a cooking channel is deductible; keeping it for personal use afterwards is technically not