Best Tax Deductions to Claim for Authors and Editors
An Author is the originator of any written work. Generally, we think of Authors/Writers writing novels, plays, musicals, manuscripts, texts or multimedia products.
Employment Profile
- Average weekly pay: $287.50
- Employment size: 11,025
- Future growth: Moderate
- Skill level: Bachelor degree or higher
Typical tax deductions include:
- Overnight travel expenses incurred for research-related travel or short writing trips. For example, although Jane Rawlings lives in Edinburgh, when she was having trouble finishing one of the Harry Potter novels, she moved into a local Edinburgh hotel for a month. The deductible travel expenses will include airfares, accommodation and meals.
- Writing courses and studies that specifically help maintain or improve writing skills or knowledge or are likely to result in an increase of income from writing.
- Motor vehicle travel for research trips, meetings, and promotion.
- Home office occupancy costs if required by the employer to work from home – includes rent, mortgage interest, rates, insurance and repairs.
- Professional seminars, courses, conferences and workshops.
- Computers, tools, and equipment.
- Reference books, technical journals and trade magazines related to work as a writer.
- Phone and internet – work %.
- Home office running expenses.
- Overseas conferences, courses and study tours.
- Work-related portion of pay TV access payments if required to access pay TV as part of work.
- Licences, registrations and subscriptions.
- Handbags, briefcases and satchels.
Non-deductible expenses:
- Writing courses undertaken before starting work as a writer or making a living from writing.
Tax Strategies we can assist you with.
- Self-education expenses
- Overseas conferences, courses and study tours
- Computers, tools, equipment and other assets
- Logbook for motor vehicles
- Union fees, licences, registrations and subscriptions
- Phone and internet
- Home office running expenses
- Handbags, briefcases and satchels
- Overnight travel expenses
Click here to see Tax Calculator for Authors and Editors.
