Hit $12k in deductions this year by tracking my daily coffee runs

I'm a freelance writer and I always thought small expenses like coffee and snacks didn't matter for taxes. But this year I actually sat down and added up all my Starbucks runs while working from cafes between client meetings. It came out to $1,200 just on coffee alone. Combined with my home office space, internet, and a new printer, my total hit $12,400 in deductions. That saved me around $3k on my tax bill. I use a simple spreadsheet now to log every work related purchase over $5. Has anyone else been surprised by how much those tiny daily costs add up at year end?

3 comments

3 Comments

casey2688d ago

Totally feel you on this. I had the same shock when I finally added up my gas station energy drinks and fast food breakfasts from working out of my truck last year. It was way over a grand, and I almost didn't believe it until I saw the total. You don't notice a few bucks here and there, but it really piles up fast. A simple spreadsheet is the way to go, I started doing the same thing after that. It's wild how much those small costs actually help when tax time comes.

smith.lee8d ago

Honestly, I gotta jump in here with a small correction. Did you actually deduct those fast food breakfasts on your taxes? Ngl, the IRS is pretty strict about meals when you're working out of a truck. Unless you're keeping a detailed log of who you met with and what business you discussed, a solo breakfast while driving is usually considered a personal expense, not a deductible one. Tbh, a lot of truckers and freelancers mess this up and end up getting flagged in an audit. A spreadsheet is great for tracking, but make sure you know what's actually allowed before you claim it.

ryan_hart388d ago

Nah man, I actually track mine and it's never been anywhere near that much.