Business Expense Calculator
Add up every 2026 write-off — mileage, phone, internet, home office, gear, fees — and see the federal, SE, and state tax each dollar saves.
Self-employed write-offs cut three taxes at once, so a dollar of expense is often worth 35–45 cents back. Enter your real categories to size your Schedule C deduction total before you file.
Your 2026 business expenses
Add every category you actually spend on. Each dollar of legitimate business expense cuts self-employment tax, federal income tax, and state tax at the same time — which is why write-offs are worth far more to a 1099 worker than to an employee. Nothing leaves your browser.
Expense breakdown
Where the savings come from
Expenses must be ordinary and necessary for your business, and you need a record — receipt, bank line, or mileage log. Commuting to a regular workplace, personal meals, and clothing you could wear anywhere do not qualify.
Frequently asked questions
- What counts as a deductible business expense for a 1099 worker?
- Any cost that is ordinary and necessary for your work: mileage or actual vehicle costs, business use of your phone and internet, home office, tools and gear, software, supplies, platform and payment fees, insurance, and professional services.
- How much tax does a business expense actually save?
- Every deductible dollar cuts income tax, the 15.3% self-employment tax (on roughly 92.35% of profit), and state tax, so most gig workers save about 35–45 cents per dollar deducted.
- Can I deduct mileage and car expenses at the same time?
- No. For each vehicle you choose either the standard mileage rate ($0.70 per business mile in 2026) or actual expenses — not both. Tolls and parking are deductible under either method.
- Do I need receipts for every expense?
- Keep records for everything you claim. Receipts, bank and card statements, app payout reports, and a contemporaneous mileage log are what satisfy an IRS review.
- Can I deduct expenses if my business lost money?
- Yes. Expenses can exceed income and create a Schedule C loss, which generally offsets other income on your Form 1040, as long as the activity is a genuine business run for profit.
- Where do business expenses go on my tax return?
- In Part II of Schedule C, with vehicle detail in Part IV and home office on Form 8829 or the simplified method worksheet.
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Related blog posts
- The Best Tax Deductions for Gig Workers in 2026The 15 best tax deductions for gig workers in 2026 — mileage, phone, home office, health insurance, retirement, and more. With examples and IRS rules.
- The Gig Economy Tax Guide for the USA (2026)Complete 2026 US gig economy tax guide — 1099 forms, Schedule C, SE tax, quarterly payments, deductions, and state rules for every gig platform.
- Schedule C Line-by-Line: The 2026 Guide for 1099 Gig WorkersEvery Schedule C line explained for 1099 gig workers in 2026 — with DoorDash, Uber, and freelance examples, plus the exact expense categories to use.
- Cell Phone Deduction for the Self-Employed: 2026 Rules, Methods, and RecordsHow self-employed filers deduct a cell phone in 2026 — business-use percentage, the device vs. the plan, Section 179, and audit-proof documentation.