Your gear is an investment. Deduct it like one.
TaxClover tracks bodies, lenses, and software, sorts §179 from supplies, and keeps a live quarterly estimate across every wedding and brand shoot.
Typical photographers & videographers: Weddings · portraits · commercial · real-estate photo · video production
Photography is a capital-heavy business — a body here, a lens there, a lighting kit, the editing rig. Some of that is expensed now, some depreciated, and the IRS cares which. TaxClover sorts every purchase onto the correct Schedule C line, tracks mileage to shoots, and keeps your seasonal income mapped to a quarterly plan.
What photographers & videographers write off most
TaxClover sorts each one onto the correct IRS line automatically. These are the big ones for your line of work.
Cameras, lenses & lighting (§179)
Bodies, lenses, and lighting kits over your threshold are depreciated — or expensed in full under Section 179.
Editing software & subscriptions
Lightroom, Photoshop, Capture One, and your client-gallery host (Pixieset, ShootProof) are recurring software costs.
Mileage to shoots
Driving to weddings, on-location portraits, and scouting trips at the 72.5¢ standard rate.
Props, backdrops & supplies
Backdrops, props, memory cards, prints, albums, and packaging delivered to clients.
Second-shooters and assistants you pay $600+ are contract labor — and you may owe them a 1099-NEC. TaxClover's 1099 tracker handles both sides: what you're paid and what you pay out.
Everything a photographers & videographer needs to stay tax-ready
- A live quarterly estimate — federal, SE, and your state
- Schedule C expense tracking across all 22 IRS lines
- Mileage logging at the 2026 rate of 72.5¢/mile
- Receipt scanning that drafts a categorized expense
- 1099-NEC tracking and reconciliation by client
- A year-end bundle ready for your CPA or TurboTax
One plan, $19/mo or $190/yr. TaxClover doesn't file your taxes and isn't a substitute for a CPA — it makes sure you're ready for both.
Photographers & videographers tax questions
Can I expense a $3,000 camera all at once?+
Often yes — Section 179 lets you expense qualifying equipment in the year you buy it instead of depreciating over years. TaxClover flags the choice; confirm the specifics with a CPA.
Is my home editing space deductible?+
A dedicated home-office area can be — via the simplified or actual method. TaxClover tracks the inputs; the home-office form itself is a year-end CPA item.
How do I handle deposits paid in December for a spring wedding?+
Cash-basis freelancers count income when received. A December deposit is December income — TaxClover books it to the right quarter automatically.
The April surprise is a choice. Stop choosing it.
Start a 14-day trial — no credit card. Log a week of income and see your real number. $19/mo flat after that, cancel anytime.