What Counts as a Business Expense? Worksheet
Track, identify, and organize deductible business expenses in one page.
Track business assets. Estimate depreciation. Plan smarter tax deductions.
If you’ve purchased a vehicle, laptop, equipment, or software for your business, this one-page worksheet helps you capture the details that matter—so you don’t miss deductions and stay organized for tax season.
Price: $19
Format: One-page printable worksheet
Delivery: Instant digital download
What You’ll Get
✅ One-Page Expense Identification Worksheet — clearly see what qualifies as a deductible business expense
✅ IRS-Aligned Categories — organized by ordinary and necessary expense types
✅ Guided Checklists — quickly spot deductions across operations, marketing, travel, home office, and more
✅ Documentation & Planning Section — prepare accurate records and smarter discussions with your tax professional
Who This Is For
🚗 Gig workers & freelancers
Tracking deductible mileage, travel, software, and operating expenses
🏢 LLCs, S-Corps & sole proprietors
Documenting ordinary and necessary business expenses correctly
📊 Small business owners
Who want to stop guessing and clearly identify what qualifies as a deduction
🏠 Home-based business owners
Tracking home office expenses and shared utilities
📅 Anyone preparing for tax season
Who wants organized, review-ready expense records
Why This Matters
💸 Most small business owners lose money at tax time—not because they don’t earn it, but because they fail to properly identify and document deductible expenses.
This worksheet helps you:
🧾 Clearly identify what qualifies as a business expense
Based on IRS “ordinary and necessary” guidelines
🚫 Avoid missed deductions
Eliminate guesswork and poor recordkeeping
📂 Stay organized year-round
No more scrambling when tax season arrives
👨💼 Support deductions with documentation
Give your tax professional clean, review-ready records
🛡️ Reduce audit risk
Maintain categorized, well-documented expense records
When you know what counts—and you document it correctly—you make smarter tax decisions and keep more of what you earn.
How It Works
📝 Step 1: Review Each Expense Category
Go through the worksheet’s clearly defined sections covering operations, marketing, travel, home office, professional services, supplies, payroll, and other common deductions.
☑️ Step 2: Check What Applies to Your Business
Check the boxes next to the expense types you actually use in your business—only what is ordinary and necessary for your industry.
✍️ Step 3: List Your Actual Expenses
Write in specific expenses under each category so nothing gets overlooked or forgotten.
📐 Step 4: Calculate Home Office Details (If Applicable)
Document square footage and business-use percentages for home office deductions.
📂 Step 5: Use It for Tax Prep & Recordkeeping
Keep the completed worksheet with your business records and review it with your tax professional when preparing your return.
Best Practice
🗂️ Update this worksheet quarterly so your expense records stay accurate, organized, and easy to review at tax time.
Real-World Example
🚗 Marcus — Rideshare Driver & Sole Proprietor
Marcus drives for Uber and Lyft while running his business as a sole proprietor. Before using this worksheet, he tracked income but wasn’t sure which expenses actually qualified as deductions.
Using the What Counts as a Business Expense? Worksheet, Marcus:
🧾 Checked applicable categories
Mileage, gas (business use), phone service, software subscriptions, and car maintenance
✍️ Listed specific expenses
Monthly phone bill, navigation apps, car washes, and vehicle upkeep
🏠 Documented home office details
A designated workspace used for scheduling and expense tracking
📂 Organized everything in one place
So his tax preparer could quickly review what was ordinary and necessary
By completing one worksheet, Marcus identified deductions he previously overlooked and entered tax season with clear, documented expense records—no guessing required.
What’s Inside the Worksheet
🗂️ Business Operations Expenses
Office rent, utilities, software, hosting, licenses, bank fees, and shipping
📣 Marketing & Sales Expenses
Advertising, branding, social media tools, email marketing, and sales materials
🚗 Travel & Transportation
Business mileage, gas (business use), trips, rideshare travel, and vehicle maintenance
🏠 Home Office Deduction
Designated workspace confirmation, utilities percentage, furniture, repairs, and square footage calculation
👨💼 Professional Services
Accounting, bookkeeping, legal services, consulting, coaching, and training
🖨️ Supplies & Equipment
Office supplies, computers, phones, printers, inventory, and industry-specific tools
👥 Payroll & Contractors
Employees, payroll taxes, contractors, and freelancers
📚 Other Common Deductible Expenses
Insurance, education, books, memberships, and subscriptions
📝 Summary & Next Steps Section
Space to identify potential new deductions and plan follow-up with your tax professional
Important Notes
⚖️ Educational Use Only
This worksheet is for informational and organizational purposes and does not replace professional tax, legal, or accounting advice.
📋 Ordinary & Necessary Standard Applies
Only expenses that are ordinary for your industry and necessary for your business operations should be documented.
🧾 Documentation Is Critical
Always keep receipts, invoices, and supporting records for every expense listed on this worksheet.
👨💼 Review With a Tax Professional
Use this worksheet as a reference when working with your accountant or tax preparer—not as a substitute for professional review.
🗂️ Recordkeeping Matters
Store the completed worksheet with your business records and update it regularly to stay organized and audit-ready.
Get Instant Access
Download the Asset Depreciation Snapshot Worksheet and start organizing your deductions the right way.
✅ Instant download
✅ Beginner-friendly
✅ Built for small business tax planning
Price: $19
Format: PDF
Delivery: Instant digital download
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FAQs
❓ Is this a tax form I submit to the IRS?
No. This worksheet is for organization and documentation only. It helps you identify deductible expenses but is not filed with your tax return.
🧾 Does completing this guarantee my expenses are deductible?
No. An expense must meet the IRS standard of being ordinary and necessary for your business. Always review deductions with a tax professional.
👨💼 Can I give this to my accountant or tax preparer?
Yes. The worksheet is designed to be review-friendly and helps your tax professional quickly understand your expense categories.
🏠 Can I use this for home office expenses?
Yes. The worksheet includes a dedicated home office section with space to document square footage and business-use percentages.
🚗 Does this cover mileage and travel expenses?
Yes. There is a travel and transportation section for mileage, gas (business use only), trips, and related expenses.
📂 Should I keep receipts if I use this worksheet?
Absolutely. Receipts, invoices, and documentation should always be retained for every expense listed.
🗓️ How often should I update the worksheet?
Best practice is to update it quarterly so your records stay accurate and easy to review at tax time.
⚖️ Does this replace professional tax advice?
No. This worksheet is for educational and organizational purposes only and does not replace professional advice.
Support
Questions or download issues?
📧 support@creditgrowthacademy.com
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