The Top 5 Tax Deductions Small Businesses Overlook

When it comes to taxes, small business owners are often so focused on hitting deadlines and staying compliant that they miss out on savings — real money left on the table. While major expenses like payroll and rent are obvious write-offs, there are some lesser-known deductions that could reduce your taxable income and boost your bottom line.

Here are five tax deductions small business owners commonly overlook — and why they matter.

1. Home Office Deduction

If you’re running your business from home (even partially), you may qualify for a home office deduction. This includes a portion of your rent or mortgage, utilities, internet, and even insurance — as long as the space is regularly and exclusivelyused for your business.

Pro Tip: You can choose between the simplified method (a standard $5 per square foot, up to 300 sq ft) or the regular method, which requires a bit more math but could result in a bigger deduction.

2. Professional Services

Do you pay a bookkeeper, accountant, legal advisor, or business consultant? Those fees are fully deductible as operating expenses. Even online platforms or fractional CFO services you use to get expert support can count here.

Think of it this way — hiring pros to help your business run smoother isn’t just smart; it’s tax-smart too.

3. Software & Subscriptions

From QuickBooks to Melio, or even tools like Canva and Google Workspace — these monthly fees add up, and they’re deductible. Any software or SaaS platform that supports your business operations, marketing, or communication can be written off.

• QuickBooks: Whether you’re tracking income, sending invoices, or staying tax-ready year-round, QuickBooks is a must-have for small business finances. I recommend it to all my clients — and you can get started with an exclusive discount here.

• Melio: Need a simple way to pay business bills (by bank or credit card), even if your vendors only accept checks? Melio is a powerful, free tool that helps you manage payables efficiently — without disrupting your cash flow. Try it out here.

This also includes any apps for scheduling, project management, CRMs, or digital design tools you use to run your business smoothly.

4. Education & Training

Investing in yourself and your team isn’t just good for growth — it’s also good for tax time. Courses, workshops, books, memberships, webinars, and industry certifications that improve your skills or business knowledge are typically deductible.

So yes, that bookkeeping bootcamp or tax strategy webinar? That’s a business expense.

5. Mileage & Local Travel

Driving to meet a client, pick up supplies, or attend a networking event? Those miles count. Even quick trips to the post office or coffee shop (if it’s business-related) can be logged and deducted.

Pro Tip: Use a mileage tracking app like MileIQ or QuickBooks to log trips in real-time — it’s easy to forget otherwise.

Final Thoughts

Most small business owners are unknowingly leaving deductions behind because they either don’t know what qualifies — or they haven’t built systems to track it. That’s where we come in.

At Rebirth the Books, we help small business owners stay financially organized and tax-ready year-round. If you’re not sure whether you’re maximizing your deductions, let’s talk — we offer personalized bookkeeping and advisory to help you keep more of what you earn.

Need a Bookkeeping Pro in Your Corner?

Let’s connect → or visit rebirththebooks.com to learn more about how we can support your growth.