Free Reference
Schedule C Cheat Sheet (2026)
Every Schedule C expense line explained with real examples. Use this as a quick reference when categorizing your business expenses.
Line 8
Advertising
- •Website hosting and domain
- •Google/Facebook/Instagram ads
- •Business cards and flyers
- •Lead generation platforms (Thumbtack, Angi)
Line 9
Car and Truck Expenses
- •Business mileage at $0.70/mile (2026)
- •Gas, oil, repairs (actual method)
- •Parking fees at client sites
- •Tolls for business travel
Line 10
Commissions and Fees
- •Platform fees (Upwork, Fiverr, Etsy)
- •Payment processing (Stripe, Square, PayPal)
- •Referral fees paid to others
- •Agent or broker commissions
Line 11
Contract Labor
- •Subcontractor payments
- •Freelancers you hire for projects
- •Virtual assistants
- •Bookkeeper or accountant fees
Line 13
Depreciation (Section 179)
- •Computers and laptops over $2,500
- •Cameras and professional equipment
- •Vehicles (business-use portion)
- •Furniture and fixtures
Line 15
Insurance
- •General liability insurance
- •Professional liability (E&O)
- •Business property insurance
- •Commercial auto insurance
Line 16a
Mortgage Interest
- •Mortgage interest (business-use portion)
- •Business property mortgage
Line 17
Legal and Professional Services
- •Attorney fees for business matters
- •Tax preparation fees (Schedule C portion)
- •CPA or accountant fees
- •Business consulting
Line 18
Office Expense
- •Software subscriptions (Adobe, QuickBooks)
- •Cloud storage (Google, Dropbox)
- •AI tools (ChatGPT, Midjourney)
- •Printer ink and toner
Line 20a
Rent (Vehicles, Equipment)
- •Equipment rental or lease
- •Tool rental for projects
- •Vehicle lease payments (business portion)
Line 20b
Rent (Other Business Property)
- •Office or studio rent
- •Coworking space membership
- •Booth or chair rental (salons)
- •Storage unit rental
Line 22
Supplies
- •Materials consumed in your work
- •Cleaning supplies (for cleaning businesses)
- •Art supplies, ink, thread, etc.
- •Packaging and shipping materials
Line 24a
Travel
- •Flights for business trips
- •Hotels for business travel
- •Rental cars on business trips
- •Conference travel expenses
Line 24b
Meals (50%)
- •Client meals (50% deductible)
- •Meals during business travel
- •Meals at conferences
- •Working meals with collaborators
Line 25
Utilities
- •Business phone line
- •Internet (business-use portion)
- •Electricity for workspace
- •Water for business property
Line 27a
Other Expenses
- •Professional memberships and dues
- •Certifications and continuing education
- •Licenses and permits
- •Bank fees on business accounts
Line 30
Business Use of Home
- •Simplified method: $5/sq ft (max $1,500)
- •Regular method: actual expenses pro-rated
- •Rent, mortgage interest, utilities (business %)
- •Home repairs (business-use portion)
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Get My Expenses OrganizedDisclaimer: This cheat sheet is for educational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Tax rules change, and individual situations vary. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice specific to your situation.