As a freelance makeup artist, there are several specific expenses you can claim on your tax return. These include but are not limited to:

• Costs of makeup and other supplies
• Education and training expenses related to your craft
• Rent or mortgage interest if you have a home studio
• Marketing and advertising costs
• Travel expenses for jobs at various locations
• Insurance premiums related to your business
• Office supplies and equipment
• Professional services such as accounting or legal fees

These expenses can often be fully or partially deductible, reducing your taxable income and potentially saving you money. Always consult with a tax professional to ensure you are claiming all eligible expenses.

Managing bookkeeping when purchasing new makeup and supplies for your business involves tracking all your expenses thoroughly. It is important to keep every receipt and record each purchase in your ledger or accounting software. All business-related purchases, including makeup and supplies, are considered business expenses and can be deducted from your taxable income. Ensuring you properly categorize these expenses allows for better financial management and more accurate tax filing. If you find this task overwhelming or time consuming, a bookkeeping service like Bench Accounting can handle it for you.

Yes, as a mobile makeup artist, you can deduct business-related travel expenses. Typically, this might include costs related to traveling to and from locations for client appointments, photoshoots, or other business-related events. These deductions can cover expenses such as fuel, vehicle maintenance, and public transportation costs. However, the rules around this can be complex, so it's recommended to consult with a professional bookkeeper to ensure you're accurately tracking and claiming these expenses. It's also important to keep detailed records of these expenses for tax purposes.

Nope! All bookkeeping is completed in-house.

Your bookkeeper will be your main point of contact, but at times you might hear from another member of your team. This is usually when your bookkeeper goes on vacation, is sick, or otherwise unavailable.

We handle the bookkeeping for you but sometimes we’ll need your input, especially at year-end. On average, expect to spend 15 minutes each month answering questions for your bookkeeper, or uploading supporting docs.