Tax season is officially here! Understanding the available tax deductions can help you keep more of your hard-earned income. Be aware, however, that you must claim all of the freelance taxable income you have received and substantiate all of your deductions with proper receipts (not just credit card statements).

There are a few new key updates for freelance tax deductions in 2024, including:

• Form 1099-K Threshold: The threshold for receiving Form 1099-K has increased to $5,000 in gross proceeds. This form reports payments received through online platforms like PayPal, Stripe, and Venmo. It's essential for tracking income from online platforms. Even if you don't receive Form 1099-K, you're still required to report all income, including cash payments and foreign sources. Good record-keeping is crucial to ensure accurate reporting.

Receiving Form 1099-K doesn't change your tax obligations. It's simply a record of your financial transactions. Make sure to include this information when filing your taxes to avoid any discrepancies. Ensure the information on the form is correct, including your Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and the gross payment amount. 

• Retirement Contribution Limits: The contribution limits for retirement accounts have increased. For example, the limit for employees participating in 401(k) plans has increased to $23,000, and the SEP-IRA contribution limit has increased to $69,000. Contributions to retirement accounts like SEP IRAs, Solo 401(k)s, and SIMPLE IRAs can significantly reduce your taxable income.
• Standard Deduction Increases: The standard deduction has increased for 2024. For married couples filing jointly, it's now $29,200, for single taxpayers, it's $14,600.

In addition, here are some of the top freelance tax deductions for the 2024 tax year:

1. Home Office Deduction

If you have a dedicated space in your home used exclusively for business, you can deduct a portion of your housing expenses. This includes rent, mortgage interest, utilities, and even property taxes. The IRS offers two methods for calculating this deduction: the simplified option and the regular method.

The simplified option for home office deduction offers a straightforward way for eligible taxpayers to claim a home office deduction on their tax returns. Instead of tracking actual expenses, you can use a standard rate of $5 per square foot of the home office, up to a maximum of 300 square feet. This means you can deduct up to $1,500 for your home office space without the need to keep detailed records. It's an easier way to potentially save on taxes if you qualify!

The regular method for the home office deduction requires more detailed record-keeping but can potentially yield a larger deduction. Here's how it works:

• Calculate the Percentage of Your Home: Determine the percentage of your home used for business by dividing the area of the home office by the total area of your home.
• Direct Expenses: Track expenses directly related to your home office, such as repairs specific to the office space. These expenses are fully deductible.
• Indirect Expenses: Track expenses that benefit your entire home, like mortgage interest, utilities, insurance, and repairs. You can only deduct the business-use percentage of these expenses.
• Depreciation: Calculate and deduct depreciation for the part of your home used as an office.

Using this method, you’ll need to keep thorough records of all your expenses, but it allows for the deduction of a wider range of costs. If your home office qualifies, this method might offer greater savings compared to the simplified option.

2. Office Supplies and Equipment

The cost of office supplies like pens, paper, printers, and computers can be deducted. Additionally, equipment such as cameras, software, and other tools necessary for your work are also deductible.

3. Vehicle Expenses

If you use your car for business purposes, you can deduct related expenses such as gas, maintenance, insurance, and depreciation. Be sure to keep detailed records of your mileage and business-related trips.

4. Advertising and Marketing Costs

Expenses related to promoting your business, including website maintenance, online ads, business cards, and social media marketing, are deductible.

5. Health Insurance Premiums

As a freelancer in 2024, you can deduct the cost of health insurance premiums for yourself, your spouse, and your dependents. Here's a summary of what you need to know related to deducting health insurance premiums as a freelancer.

You can claim this deduction if you are self-employed and report a net profit on Schedule C. You cannot claim the deduction for any month you or your spouse are eligible to participate in a subsidized employer plan.

The deduction covers premiums for medical, dental, and qualifying long-term care insurance for yourself, your spouse, and your dependents. It also covers your children under age 27, even if they are not your dependents.

The deduction cannot exceed your net profit from your business, reduced by your self-employment tax and contributions to retirement plans. If your deduction is limited, you can carry over the excess premiums to Schedule A as an itemized deduction, but only if your total medical expenses exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income.

It is very important to keep detailed records of your health insurance premiums and any other medical expenses to ensure accurate reporting and maximize your deductions.

6. Education and Training

Expenses for courses, workshops, and professional development that maintain or improve your skills are deductible.

7. Travel and Accommodation

If you travel for business, you can deduct expenses for transportation, lodging, meals, and other travel-related costs.

8. Self-Employment Taxes

As a freelancer, you're responsible for paying self-employment taxes, which include Social Security and Medicare taxes. However, you can deduct half of these taxes on your income tax return.

9. Professional Services

Fees paid to accountants, lawyers, and other professionals for services related to your business are deductible.

Maximizing your tax deductions as a freelancer can significantly reduce your tax liability and help you save money. Be sure to keep meticulous records and consult with a tax professional to ensure you're taking advantage of all available deductions.