Are cell phone bills deductible?

Asked by: Justus Nitzsche  |  Last update: April 17, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (41 votes)

Share: You can qualify for a cell phone tax deduction from cell phone charges incurred when the mobile phone is being used exclusively for business. There is not an IRS cell phone deduction for self employed people, exclusively. However, you can also deduct additional business expenses that you incur.

Can you deduct a cell phone bill on taxes?

How much of your cell phone bill can you deduct? In most situations, your cell phone bill is only partially deductible, because you'll use it for personal reasons at least some of the time. It's very similar to deducting computer expenses: you can only write off your business-use percentage.

What bills can I write off on my taxes?

You can deduct these expenses whether you take the standard deduction or itemize:
  • Alimony payments.
  • Business use of your car.
  • Business use of your home.
  • Money you put in an IRA.
  • Money you put in health savings accounts.
  • Penalties on early withdrawals from savings.
  • Student loan interest.
  • Teacher expenses.

What expense category is a cell phone bill?

Communication expenses: Most businesses list cell phones here, covering the costs of calls, texting, and data used for work.

How much of my utility bill can I write off?

The amount of a utility write-off is determined by the percentage of the utility that is used for business purposes. For example, if you use your home internet 50% of the time for business, you can write off 50% of the cost. The same principle applies to other utilities such as electricity, gas, and water.

How to LEGALLY Write Off Your Cell Phone [UPDATED Tax Write Off Tips]

34 related questions found

Is a cell phone bill considered a utility?

A utility bill is a monthly payment due for essential services. Public utilities include electricity, water, and natural gas, waste management, recycling, and wastewater. Although some may not think of them as essential utilities, bills such as landline, cell phone and Internet services are also considered utilities.

How much of my internet bill can I write-off?

Does the home office write-off cover all internet costs? Like most self-employed individuals, you probably use your home internet for both personal and business purposes. You can only deduct the portion of your bill that's used for work, so you need to calculate your business-use percentage.

What are the IRS regulations on cell phone reimbursement?

The notice provides that when an employer provides an employee with a cell phone primarily for noncompensatory business reasons, generally the business and personal use of the cell phone is nontaxable to the employee. The IRS will not require recordkeeping of business use in order to receive this tax-free treatment.

Is car insurance tax deductible?

If you only use your car for personal use, then you likely can't deduct your car insurance premiums from your taxable income. Generally, you need to use your vehicle for business-related reasons (other than as an employee) to deduct part of your car insurance premiums as a business expense.

Is a cell phone bill a flexible expense?

Loan payments: Payments for auto loans, student loans and other types of installment loans are the same every month. Cell phone and internet bills: These are usually fixed bills that are based on what service level you choose, rather than how much of the service you use within a month.

How to get a $10,000 tax refund?

How do I get a 10,000 tax refund? You could end up with a $10,000 tax refund if you've paid significantly more tax payments than you owe at the end of the year.

What home expenses can I deduct?

Deductible house-related expenses
  • Insurance including fire and comprehensive coverage and title insurance.
  • The amount applied to reduce the principal of the mortgage.
  • Wages paid to domestic help.
  • Depreciation.
  • The cost of utilities, such as gas, electricity or water.
  • Most settlement or closing costs.

How much can I claim without receipts?

$300 maximum claims rule

This rule states that if the total of your work-related expenses is $300 or less (not including car, travel, and overtime meal expenses, which can be claimed separately), you can claim the total amount as a tax deduction without receipts.

Can you write off home interest on taxes?

In most cases, you can deduct all of your home mortgage interest. How much you can deduct depends on the date of the mortgage, the amount of the mortgage, and how you use the mortgage proceeds.

How to calculate a phone bill?

Monthly Phone Payment= (Total Phone Price + ((Total Phone Price Interest Rate * (((Contract Duration/12)))/100))/Contract Duration. This is the one section of the calculator that can't be edited manually.

Can I write off my electric bill if I work from home?

Small-business owners and freelancers who regularly and exclusively use part of their home for work and business-related activities may be able to write off rent, utilities, real estate taxes, repairs, maintenance and other related expenses. The home office tax deduction can be taken on Schedule C.

Is homeowners insurance tax deductible?

You may look for ways to reduce costs including turning to your tax return. Some taxpayers have asked if homeowner's insurance is tax deductible. Here's the skinny: You can only deduct homeowner's insurance premiums paid on rental properties. Homeowner's insurance is never tax deductible your main home.

Can you write off gas on taxes?

If you're claiming actual expenses, things like gas, oil, repairs, insurance, registration fees, lease payments, depreciation, bridge and tunnel tolls, and parking can all be deducted." Just make sure to keep a detailed log and all receipts, he advises, and keep track of your yearly mileage and then deduct the ...

Is my car property tax deductible?

In California, for instance, the value-based portion is identified on car owners' billing statements as a "vehicle license fee" and is specifically labeled as tax-deductible.

How much of your cell phone bill can you deduct?

What can I deduct for cell phone use? You can 30% of the data, messaging, and talk costs related to business. ¹ To deduct the expense, you would need to calculate the business-use percentage of the cell phone on a month-by-month basis.

How much of your phone can you claim on tax?

If your mobile phone cost under $300, you can claim a one-off, immediate tax deduction for the business use percentage of the purchase price. If your mobile phone cost more than $300, you can claim the depreciation of your mobile phone over the life of the equipment which is 3 years as per ATO guidelines.

Can the IRS monitor your phone?

And not everyone is happy about it. It turns out that the IRS is using devices known as IMSI Catchers, “Stingrays” or cell cite simulators. It isn't exactly a phone tap, but it does mean there is data gathering going on. You might not know about it, and it could infringe on your privacy rights.

What home expenses are tax deductible?

There are certain expenses taxpayers can deduct. These may include mortgage interest, insurance, utilities, repairs, maintenance, depreciation and rent. Taxpayers must meet specific requirements to claim home expenses as a deduction. Even then, the deductible amount of these types of expenses may be limited.

What utilities can I deduct?

Take a look at some common business utilities that are tax-deductible.
  • Electricity and gas.
  • Water and sewage services.
  • Trash disposal, dead appliance removal, and recycling services.
  • Internet and phone services used for business purposes.
  • Security system installation for commercial properties.

Can you deduct a printer from taxes?

Section 179 of the IRS tax code allows businesses to deduct the full purchase price of qualifying equipment and/or software purchased or financed – 3D printers and post-processing equipment included – during the tax year.