What do you write off?

[j***@bellsouth.net]

I don't have a studio I practice from, but I'm an independent
contractor at a dayspa, I do housecalls, and public chair massage.
Just wondering, besides gas, laundry, continuing education, business
license, etc. what else can a massage therapist write off for taxes?
What about food in between massages, and what exacly is an
"entertainment expense"? If there's anyone with experience as a
traveling therapist or contractor, any ideas are greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

[suzee]

Post by j***@bellsouth.net
I don't have a studio I practice from, but I'm an independent
contractor at a dayspa, I do housecalls, and public chair massage.
Just wondering, besides gas, laundry, continuing education, business
license, etc. what else can a massage therapist write off for taxes?
What about food in between massages, and what exacly is an
"entertainment expense"? If there's anyone with experience as a
traveling therapist or contractor, any ideas are greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

Having been a bookkeeper.... you can only write off meals as a business
expense if you''re discussing business with a prospective client. Like
if you're negotiating a chair massage contract with a company. Otherwise
meals are nondeductible just as they would be if working for someone
else. If you're not paying rent, your list is about all you can deduct.
You can deduct automobile expenses either by actual mileage to your
clients (40 cents per mile or whatever it is this year), or by a usage
percentage of actual gas/insurance/maintenance expenses. It would be
worth a $100 or so to talk to a tax preparer to see what you can
legitimately declare. And that's a deductible expense too. ;)

sue

[j***@bellsouth.net]

Post by suzee

Post by j***@bellsouth.net
I don't have a studio I practice from, but I'm an independent
contractor at a dayspa, I do housecalls, and public chair massage.
Just wondering, besides gas, laundry, continuing education, business
license, etc. what else can a massage therapist write off for taxes?
What about food in between massages, and what exacly is an
"entertainment expense"? If there's anyone with experience as a
traveling therapist or contractor, any ideas are greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

Having been a bookkeeper.... you can only write off meals as a business
expense if you''re discussing business with a prospective client. Like
if you're negotiating a chair massage contract with a company. Otherwise
meals are nondeductible just as they would be if working for someone
else. If you're not paying rent, your list is about all you can deduct.
You can deduct automobile expenses either by actual mileage to your
clients (40 cents per mile or whatever it is this year), or by a usage
percentage of actual gas/insurance/maintenance expenses. It would be
worth a $100 or so to talk to a tax preparer to see what you can
legitimately declare. And that's a deductible expense too. ;)
sue

Thanks, that sounds great. So what about entertainment expense? What
is it exactly? I'll research in the meantime. Thank you

[j***@bellsouth.net]

Post by suzee

Post by j***@bellsouth.net
I don't have a studio I practice from, but I'm an independent
contractor at a dayspa, I do housecalls, and public chair massage.
Just wondering, besides gas, laundry, continuing education, business
license, etc. what else can a massage therapist write off for taxes?
What about food in between massages, and what exacly is an
"entertainment expense"? If there's anyone with experience as a
traveling therapist or contractor, any ideas are greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

Having been a bookkeeper.... you can only write off meals as a business
expense if you''re discussing business with a prospective client. Like
if you're negotiating a chair massage contract with a company. Otherwise
meals are nondeductible just as they would be if working for someone
else. If you're not paying rent, your list is about all you can deduct.
You can deduct automobile expenses either by actual mileage to your
clients (40 cents per mile or whatever it is this year), or by a usage
percentage of actual gas/insurance/maintenance expenses. It would be
worth a $100 or so to talk to a tax preparer to see what you can
legitimately declare. And that's a deductible expense too. ;)
sue

Thanks, that sounds great. So what about entertainment expense? What
is it exactly? I'll research in the meantime. Thank you

[Kathryn Streletzky]

Entertainment expense is when you take out either a current client, a
prosepective client, or someone who is in business with you in some way
- like someone from the day spa that refers clients to you. You can
only write off a percentage of meals expense - I think it's 50% so it's
not as great as it sounds.