Can I deduct a new laptop for VA work?

Yes. If used for client work, a laptop is deductible under Section 179 (full cost in year one) or as a normal business expense. If you also use it personally, deduct only the business-use percentage.

I work through Upwork — do I report what Upwork pays me or what clients pay?

Report what Upwork actually pays you (after their service fee) as gross income. Alternatively, report the gross client payment and deduct Upwork's fee separately as a business expense — either approach is acceptable.

Can I deduct a co-working space membership?

Yes — if you work from a co-working space regularly, the membership fee is deductible as a rent/workspace expense. If you use both home and co-working, you may be able to deduct both depending on your situation.

Are Zoom and other software subscriptions 100% deductible?

Yes, if used entirely for business. If a tool is used for personal video calls too, deduct only the business-use percentage — though for most VAs, tools like Zoom and Slack are 100% business.

Schedule C · Self-Employed

Tax Write-Offs for Virtual Assistants

Virtual assistants who work as independent contractors — whether through Upwork, direct clients, or VA agencies — are self-employed. Your home office, computer, software tools, and internet bill are the core of your write-offs, and with proper tracking, most VAs save over $2,500 annually.

Avg. annual savings$2,800

Track My Virtual Assistant Write-Offs — $14/mo

Top 6 Tax Write-Offs for Virtual Assistants

Home Office

100% deductible

The portion of your home used exclusively and regularly as your primary place of business. Since VA work is done entirely online, this deduction almost always applies. Use the simplified method ($5/sq ft, max 300 sq ft) or the regular method.

Schedule C, Line 30

Computer & Hardware

100% deductible

Laptop, desktop, second monitor, keyboard, mouse, webcam, headset, and any hardware used for client work. Deduct the business-use percentage or 100% if used exclusively for work.

Schedule C, Line 13

Software Subscriptions

100% deductible

Project management tools (Asana, ClickUp, Monday), communication (Slack, Zoom), scheduling (Calendly), design tools, and any SaaS you use to deliver client services.

Schedule C, Line 18

Internet & Phone

100% deductible

The business-use percentage of your home internet bill and cell phone. For full-time VAs, this is often 80–100% of internet costs and 50–70% of phone costs.

Schedule C, Line 25

Platform & Marketplace Fees

100% deductible

Upwork's service fee (10–20%), Fiverr's 20% commission, and any platform charges are deductible in full against your earnings from that platform.

Schedule C, Line 10

Professional Development

100% deductible

Online courses (Udemy, Skillshare), VA-specific training programs, and any skill-building courses that help you serve clients better and charge higher rates.

Schedule C, Line 27a

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Skipping the home office deduction — for full-time remote VAs, this is almost always applicable.
Forgetting platform fees — Upwork and Fiverr fees significantly reduce your effective earnings and are deductible.
Not tracking the business-use percentage of your internet bill — most full-time VAs can deduct 80–100%.
Missing software subscriptions that auto-renew annually.

Recordkeeping Tips

Measure your dedicated workspace and calculate the home office deduction at the start of each year.
Download your Upwork/Fiverr transaction history showing gross earnings and service fees paid.
Set a reminder to capture annual software renewals when they charge your card.
Keep a simple spreadsheet of all software subscriptions with monthly cost and annual total.

Frequently Asked Questions

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This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax advice. Consult a qualified CPA or tax professional for guidance specific to your situation.