Which expenses can I deduct from taxes as a freelancer?
December 15, 2022 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Christine Witzelmann
Dear tax advisor,
My name is Bernd König and I work as a freelancer. I have heard that there are many expenses that can be deducted from taxes, but I am unsure which costs are actually deductible and which are not. I would like to minimize my tax burden and therefore I would like to know which expenses I can claim as a freelancer.
Currently, I am facing the problem that I have many business expenses, but I am not sure if all of them are tax deductible. I mainly work from my home office and therefore have expenses for office supplies, office furniture, computer, and software. Additionally, I also have costs for telephone, internet, and travel to clients. Furthermore, I have training expenses and insurance premiums that I would like to deduct.
My concern is that I fear overlooking expenses that could be deducted from taxes and therefore potentially giving away money. I would like to ensure that I utilize all opportunities to minimize my tax burden, so it would be very helpful for me if you could provide me with a detailed list of deductible expenses for freelancers.
Could you please specifically outline which expenses I can deduct from taxes as a freelancer? Are there any specific requirements or special considerations to keep in mind? I would greatly appreciate it if you could help me with this question so that I can prepare my tax return correctly and efficiently.
Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Bernd König
Dear Mr. King,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding deductible expenses for freelancers. As a tax advisor, I would be happy to assist you and provide you with a detailed list of costs that you can claim as deductible expenses as a freelancer.
First and foremost, it is important to mention that generally all business-related expenses can be deducted for tax purposes. This includes costs for office supplies, office furniture, computers, and software. These expenses can be claimed as business expenses in your tax return. Additionally, costs for telephone, internet, and travel to clients are also deductible expenses. However, you should make sure to keep the relevant receipts to be able to prove the costs.
Furthermore, expenses for further education and insurance premiums can also be claimed as business expenses. Further education that serves the maintenance and improvement of your professional knowledge is tax deductible. Contributions for professional liability and disability insurance can also be claimed as business expenses.
There are, however, some special conditions and requirements to consider when it comes to the deductibility of certain expenses. The costs should always be directly related to your freelance activity and be verifiable. Additionally, you should ensure that the expenses are reasonable and not excessive to avoid tax issues.
It is advisable to carefully collect and keep all receipts and invoices to correctly report the expenses in your tax return. If you are unsure whether certain costs are deductible, you can consult a trusted tax advisor who can assist you with preparing your tax return.
I hope this information helps you and that you can successfully minimize your tax burden. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Best regards,
Christine Witzelmann
