Free · sourced from current IRS guidance as of 2026
The Self-Employed Deduction Cheat Sheet
The 24 most-missed deductions for 1-person businesses, each mapped to its current IRS source as of 2026. Free.
What you'll get
- ✓All 24 deductions, organized by Schedule C line where it applies
- ✓The current IRS source as of 2026 for every entry — verify everything we say
- ✓One worked example per deduction, with the dollar math
A preview of the 24
Five of the categories on the sheet.
Each row is structured the same way. The full PDF has the other 19 plus an explanation of what isn't on the list and why.
Home office
Pub 587 · Sch C 30The room you use exclusively for the business. Sq. ft. method.
Bank & merchant fees
IRS.gov Bus. Expenses · IRC §162Stripe, Square, Wise, PayPal — every transaction fee.
Education & training
IRS.gov Bus. Expenses · IRC §162Courses that maintain or improve skills for your current trade.
Professional dues
IRS.gov Bus. Expenses · IRC §162Industry guilds, associations, trade journals.
Health insurance
Form 7206 · Schedule 1 (not Sch C)Self-employed premiums for you, your spouse, dependents.
The cheat sheet helps you spot what you might be missing. It does not tell you whether a deduction is yours to take — that depends on your specific facts and is a question for a CPA. Every category cites the source as of 2026 so you can read the rule yourself before deciding.