Creative & Freelance

Tax help for graphic designers

Your software, hardware, and assets are all business expenses — and they add up to real tax savings.

Prepared by real tax specialists — with Enrolled Agent or CPA review when your return calls for it.

Freelance and contract designers are self-employed and file a Schedule C. Your biggest costs — creative software and the machine you run it on — are deductible, and bigger equipment purchases can often be written off in full the year you buy them.

Income you’ll report on: 1099-NEC, 1099-K.

Save money

Deductions for graphic designers

Most people in this line of work leave money on the table. Here's what we make sure to capture:

  • Design software subscriptions (Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma)
  • Computer, tablet, and monitors (Section 179 / depreciation)
  • Fonts, stock assets, and plugins
  • Home office
  • Continuing education and courses
  • Payment processing and marketplace fees
Watch out for

What makes your taxes different

  • Large equipment can often be expensed immediately under Section 179
  • Marketplace and processor income may appear on a 1099-K
  • QBI deduction may apply
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Do graphic designers pay self-employment tax?

If you earn as an independent contractor, yes — self-employment tax is 15.3% (Social Security and Medicare) on your net profit, on top of regular income tax. You deduct half of it, and every business deduction lowers what you owe. We handle the calculation on Schedule SE.

What can graphic designers write off?

Common write-offs include design software subscriptions (adobe creative cloud, figma), computer, tablet, and monitors (section 179 / depreciation), fonts, stock assets, and plugins, home office, plus a share of your phone and any home-office use. We go through your year line by line so nothing legitimate gets missed.

Do graphic designers need to pay quarterly estimated taxes?

If you expect to owe $1,000 or more for the year, the IRS generally wants quarterly estimated payments to avoid an underpayment penalty. We calculate them so next April isn't a surprise.

Do I have to report income if I didn't get a 1099?

Yes. Your income is taxable whether or not a client or platform sent a 1099. We report it correctly and offset it with every deduction you qualify for.

Taxes handled · so you can get back to work.

Tell us what you've got and we'll come back within one business day with the plan and the price · from a preparer who knows your line of work.

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