Creative & Freelance

Tax help for web developers

Client project fees and retainers are self-employment income, and your tools, hosting, and home office are deductible.

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

Freelance web developers report on Schedule C, billing clients hourly, per project, or on retainer, with income often arriving through platforms or direct invoices.

Because the work is software- and hardware-intensive, subscriptions, cloud services, and a home office are core deductible expenses.

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

Save money

Deductions for web developers

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

  • Computers, monitors, and peripherals
  • Code editors, design tools, and software licenses
  • Cloud hosting, domains, and server costs
  • A qualifying home office
  • Subcontractor and freelancer payments
  • Continuing education and technical courses
  • Freelance platform and payment processing fees
Watch out for

What makes your taxes different

  • Platform income may come on a 1099-K while direct clients send 1099-NEC
  • Reselling hosting or domains to clients is reportable income, with the underlying cost deductible
  • Software subscriptions are deducted currently; major equipment may be depreciated
  • The home office must be used regularly and exclusively for business
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Do web developers 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 web developers write off?

Common write-offs include computers, monitors, and peripherals, code editors, design tools, and software licenses, cloud hosting, domains, and server costs, a qualifying 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 web developers 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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