Ground Rules that Keep you Out of Trouble

Quick note before we start: I’m talking mostly about U.S. federal rules here. States have their own quirks, so check your state’s guidelines or talk to a pro who knows your local rules.

• It has to be ordinary and necessary for your work (influencers).
• Track the business portion when something is mixed use. You are a business owner at the end of the day, and not everything will qualify as business use.
• Keep receipts and a short note on the business purpose (how it helped you with content creation).
• For bigger tax deductions, know your options: de minimus safe harbor up to $2,500 per item, or MACRS depreciation. Pick the method that fits your deductible expense. (Check out this article for more info: Can You Write Off Your Gaming Setup?)

Gear and Tech

1. Camera bodies
2. Lenses
3. Tripods and gimbals
4. Action cameras and mounts (GoPro)
5. Microphones (all types)
6. Audio interfaces or mixers
7. Soundproofing panels and foam
8. Headphones or studio monitors
9. Lighting gear (ring lights, LED panels)
10. Capture cards for streaming and recording

Computing and Accessories

1. Computers or laptops
2. Monitors and calibration tools
3. Graphic cards
4. External hard drives and backup devices
5. Memory cards and readers
6. Batteries and chargers
7. Cables, stands, clamps
8. Camera bags and hard cases
9. Smartphones used fro filming or channel management
10. Tablets used for scripts, teleprompter, or monitoring

Software and Digital Services

1. Video and photo editing software
2. Design tools and paid asset libraries
3. Audio editing software and plugins
4. Social media schedulers and analytics tools
5. Cloud storage and backup services
6. Website hosting and domain fees
7. Website themes and plugins
8. SEO and keyword tools
9. Transcription and captioning tools
10. Stock photos, stock footage, and music licenses
11. Tax preparation software (like Beluga Labs)

Workspace and Utilities

1. Home office deduction (see more here: Can You Write Off Your Gaming Setup?)
2. Office furniture (desk, chair, shelves)
3. Office supplies (ink, paper, notebooks, labels)
4. Internet service (business portion)
5. Phone plan (business portion)
6. Printers, scanners, and shredders
7. Studio rent
8. Storage unit for gear or inventory
9. Cybersecurity software like VPN, antivirus, password manager
10. Business insurance policies

Operations, Growth, and Travel

1. Legal and accounting fees
2. Payment processing fees from Stripe, PayPal, etc.
3. Business licenses and permits (LLC, S-Corp)
4. Bookkeeping software (like $Beluga)
5. Banking fees on business accounts
6. Transportation for business travel (flights, train, rideshare)
7. Lodging for business trips
8. Phone bills for business lines (not personal use)
9. Business meals at 50% (the max amount that you can deduct for meals)
10. Mileage or actual vehicle expenses (like gas)
11. Parking, tolls, and other related travel expenses
12. Other professional services or freelancers (like editors)
13. Photo shoots to be used for business-related marketing

A Few Sanity Checks that Save you Money Later

• Document mixed use. If you edit on the same laptop you watch shows on, track the percent you use for work (usually normal working hours).
• Keep proof. Receipts, emails, screenshots, and one line note on why you bought it. Most tax professionals will ask for this before they file for you.
• Some “fun” expenses only count if they show up in your content (like a neon sign with your handle in the background). Be honest about the business purpose. If it’s easy to verify, the IRS will check what you put down on your Schedule C.

Bottom Line

This is not about gaming the system. It is about running your small business like a pro and not leaving money on the table. If it is ordinary for your work, helps you create or run the business, and you can prove it, it probably belongs here. The potential for tax savings can be huge, and helps lower your taxable income.

If tracking related expenses feels like a second job, Beluga can pull your transactions from your bank accounts into one place, tag the likely write-offs, and help you set aside the right amount for taxes without ever worrying about it. We then prepare all necessary self-employed tax returns, ready to be filed during tax season by a CPA, other tax professional, or self filing.

Keep on Creating!

— The Beluga Team