Schedule C deduction finder

Every line you can claim, for your trade.

Pick what you do and see the Schedule C expense lines that usually apply, with examples in your own words. Or type an expense and find its line. Free, no signup.

What do you do? (your trade)

Choose a trade to see its lines.

Search an expense (gas, Stripe fees, laptop, rent)

Type an expense to see which line it goes on.

A guide to where an expense usually goes on Schedule C Part II, not tax advice. It covers the expense lines 8 to 27a; home office (line 30), cost of goods sold (Part III) and depreciation computed on Form 4562 are pointed to, not worked out. Line names are the IRS form's own. Check the specifics with your tax professional.

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From a list of lines to a filled-in worksheet.

Knowing the line is step one. ClaryBook does the rest from your actual books, all year.

Type an expense in plain words, like "gas 48.20", and it is booked with the date, vendor and amount.
Snap a receipt and it becomes a categorized expense.
Each expense category is mapped to its Schedule C line, so "Gas" lands on line 9 and "Software" on line 18 without you sorting receipts in April.
The Schedule C worksheet adds every line up in form order, with the 50 percent meals limit and line-9 mileage applied, as CSV, HTML or PDF for you or your preparer.

Questions

What if an expense fits two lines?

Pick one and use it consistently. The IRS cares that the expense is ordinary, necessary and documented, more than which Part II line it sits on. The explainer behind each "why" link walks through the usual placement and the common exceptions.

Where do meals go, and how much counts?

A meal with a client, a prospect or your team where business is discussed goes on line 24b, and 50 percent of the bill counts. Your own lunch on a normal working day is not deductible. Read the meals explainer.

What about client gifts?

Gifts go on line 27a, Other expenses, and the deduction is capped at $25 per recipient per year, whatever the gift cost. Read the gift limit explainer.

Why is my home office not in the list?

Home office is line 30, worked out on Form 8829, not one of the Part II expense lines this finder covers. Read the home office explainer.

Is a laptop or a camera a supply or depreciation?

Equipment that lasts more than a year is line 13, depreciation and section 179, with the computation on Form 4562. Small items used up within the year are supplies on line 22. Read when to expense or capitalize.

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