Which advertising costs can be taken into account in the tax return?
February 5, 2022 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Wolfgang Lenzner
Dear tax advisor,
My name is Chloé Friedendahl and I have a question regarding my tax return. This year, I have incurred some professional expenses that I would like to claim as deductible business expenses. I work as a freelance writer and require various materials such as office supplies, specialized literature, and software to carry out my work. Additionally, I have also attended further training courses to improve my skills and stay up to date.
My question now is which of these expenses can be considered as deductible business expenses in my tax return. I am unsure whether, for example, I can also deduct the costs for my home office or travel expenses to client meetings. I want to ensure that I can take advantage of all possible tax benefits to minimize my financial burden.
Furthermore, I am concerned that I may have overlooked deductible business expenses that could help me reduce my tax liability. I want to make sure that I correctly report all relevant expenses to avoid any tax disadvantages.
Could you please provide me with an overview of the deductible business expenses that I, as a freelance writer, can claim in my tax return? I would greatly appreciate your assistance in this matter.
Thank you in advance for your support.
Kind regards,
Chloé Friedendahl
Dear Mrs. Friedendahl,
Thank you for your question regarding the deductible expenses in your tax return as a freelance writer. As a tax advisor, I would like to provide you with a detailed answer to your inquiry.
As a freelance writer, you can claim a variety of expenses as deductible expenses in your tax return. These include the costs of office supplies, professional literature, and software that you need for your professional activities. These expenses are usually fully deductible as they are directly related to your self-employment.
The costs of further education, aimed at improving your skills and staying up to date, can also be claimed as deductible expenses. This includes courses, seminars, or professional conferences that help you expand your professional knowledge.
Furthermore, you can also deduct the costs of your home office under certain conditions as deductible expenses. The home office must be the center of your professional activities and used exclusively for business purposes. Rent, electricity, heating, cleaning costs, etc. can then be recognized as deductible expenses.
The costs of traveling to client meetings can also be claimed as deductible expenses. It is important to note that only the actual expenses incurred, such as for petrol, parking fees, or public transport, are deductible. Mileage allowances are also recognized.
To avoid overlooking any deductible expenses, I recommend that you carefully collect and document all relevant receipts and invoices. This way, you can ensure that you report all deductible expenses in your tax return and do not miss out on any tax benefits.
I hope that this information has been helpful to you. If you have any further questions or need assistance with your tax return, please feel free to contact me.
Best regards,
Wolfgang Lenzner
