Quick answer
Freelance designers and developers can deduct almost everything their work runs on: computers, monitors, tablets, software subscriptions, fonts, stock assets, hosting, domains, courses and a home office. Most equipment can be written off in full the year you buy it, thanks to the $2,500 de minimis safe harbor and 100% bonus depreciation, which is back for 2026.
Hardware
| Expense | How to deduct it |
|---|---|
| Laptop, desktop, Mac mini | In full the year you buy it: de minimis if ≤ $2,500 per item, otherwise Section 179 or 100% bonus depreciation |
| Monitors, docks, keyboards, mice | Same; business % if also used personally |
| Drawing tablets (Wacom, iPad + Pencil) | Same |
| Test devices (phones, tablets for QA) | 100% if used only for testing |
| External drives, NAS, backup devices | Same |
| Desk, chair, lighting | Same |
Tip: make the de minimis election each year with a statement on your return. It lets you expense any item costing $2,500 or less per invoice line without a depreciation schedule.
Software and subscriptions
All deductible when used for work:
- Design: Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, Sketch, Affinity, Canva Pro, Procreate.
- Development: GitHub, JetBrains, Cursor or other AI coding tools, Vercel, Netlify, Docker.
- AI tools: ChatGPT, Claude, Midjourney and similar subscriptions used for client work.
- Business: project management (Notion, Asana, Linear), invoicing and accounting (QuickBooks, FreshBooks), password managers, VPN.
- Communication: Zoom, Slack, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365.
Assets and hosting
- Fonts and font licenses.
- Stock photos, illustrations, icons, mockups, templates, UI kits.
- Plugins and themes bought for client sites.
- Web hosting, domains, SSL certificates, CDN and cloud (AWS, Google Cloud) for your portfolio or clients.
- Printing and proofs for print design jobs.
If a client reimburses you for a specific asset, either don’t deduct it or include the reimbursement in your income. Don’t do both.
Workspace
- Home office: $5 per sq ft up to $1,500 (simplified) or your actual share of rent and utilities (regular method). See Home Office Deduction: Simplified vs Regular Method.
- Coworking memberships: 100%.
- Internet and phone: business-use percentage. See Can I Deduct My Phone and Internet Bill as a Freelancer?
Education and growth
Deductible if it maintains or improves skills in your current work:
- Online courses (Udemy, Coursera, Domestika, Frontend Masters).
- Design and dev books.
- Conferences (Config, Adobe MAX, JSConf): ticket, flights, hotel, and 50% of meals.
- Certifications (AWS, Google).
A degree that qualifies you for a new profession isn’t deductible.
Marketing and business costs
- Portfolio site costs, Behance or Dribbble Pro, LinkedIn Premium.
- Paid platform fees: Upwork, Fiverr, Toptal and Contra service fees.
- Payment fees: Stripe, PayPal, Wise.
- Subcontractors: other designers or developers you hire. From 2026 you only need to file a 1099-NEC once you pay someone $2,000 or more in a year.
- Professional liability (E&O) insurance.
- Accountant and tax software.
Worked example
Sam is a freelance web developer earning $110,000 in 2026.
| Deduction | Amount |
|---|---|
| MacBook Pro (100% business, bonus depreciation) | $3,200 |
| Two monitors and a dock | $1,100 |
| Software, AI tools and hosting | $2,600 |
| Fonts, themes and stock | $450 |
| Home office (regular method) | $4,200 |
| Internet and phone (70%) | $1,200 |
| Courses and one conference | $1,800 |
| Upwork and Stripe fees | $2,300 |
| Total Schedule C deductions | $16,850 |
At a 24% bracket plus self-employment tax, that saves Sam about $6,400.
What designers and developers can’t deduct
- A personal gaming PC or console, even if you occasionally test on it (only the business share).
- Clothing you could wear anywhere.
- Netflix, Spotify or YouTube Premium, unless genuinely needed for client work.
- Traffic fines, even on the way to a client.
Frequently asked questions
Can I deduct a new iPhone used to test apps?
Yes, the business percentage. If it’s a dedicated test device, 100%.
Are AI subscriptions deductible?
Yes, when you use them for your business. If you also use them personally, deduct only the business share.
Can I deduct equipment I bought before I started freelancing?
Yes. Personal equipment you convert to business use can be depreciated based on the lower of its cost or its value when you started using it for business.
Should I buy equipment in December to lower my taxes?
Only if you need it. A $2,000 purchase still costs you about $1,240 after the income and self-employment tax savings at a 24% bracket.
This article is general information, not tax advice. Consult a CPA or Enrolled Agent for your situation.
Related guides
- Tax Deductions for Real Estate Agents
- Tax Deductions for Travel Nurses
- Tax Deductions for Photographers
- Tax Deductions for Hair Stylists and Barbers
About this guide
Written by the Freelancer Tax HQ editorial team, based on our professional experience, official US government sources (IRS, SSA and other agencies) and reputable informational articles listed in the sources below. Last reviewed on . Tax rules change often, and we update this guide when they do. Read our editorial policy or report an error.
Sources
IRS Publication 334, Tax Guide for Small Business; IRS Publication 946, How to Depreciate Property; IRS tangible property regulations and de minimis safe harbor; IRS guidance on 100% bonus depreciation; 2026 Form 1099 threshold changes (Patriot Software). Example figures are FreelancerTaxHQ illustrations.
Official resources linked in this guide: IRS: Tax preparer credentials.