As a wellness entrepreneur, you put your heart (and often your wallet) into building your business. From buying
the best equipment to attending industry events, it all adds up but here’s the problem: too many wellness
professionals leave money on the table at tax time simply because they don’t know what they can deduct.
The truth is, the tax code is full of opportunities to reduce your taxable income if you know where to look. And
while you might already claim the obvious deductions like mileage or office supplies, there are several
overlooked tax write-offs that could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year.
Let’s break down six tax deductions wellness entrepreneurs often miss and how to make sure you’re taking full
advantage of them.
1. Home Office Deduction
You don’t have to run client sessions in your living room to claim this deduction. The IRS allows you to write off
part of your rent, mortgage interest, utilities, and even internet if you use a specific space in your home
regularly and exclusively for your business.
For example:
If you use a spare bedroom as your office for scheduling, bookkeeping, and client communication, you may be
able to deduct a percentage of your housing expenses based on the square footage used for your business.
Even if you see clients in a separate studio, the work you do from home like creating programs, answering
emails, managing your social media… it still counts!
Pro tip: Keep records of your total square footage and the portion dedicated to your business. This will make
calculating your deduction much easier at tax time.
2. Professional Development
You don’t have to run client sessions in your living room to claim this deduction. The IRS allows you to write off
part of your rent, mortgage interest, utilities, and even internet if you use a specific space in your home
regularly and exclusively for your business.
For example:
If you use a spare bedroom as your office for scheduling, bookkeeping, and client communication, you may be
able to deduct a percentage of your housing expenses based on the square footage used for your business.
Even if you see clients in a separate studio, the work you do from home like creating programs, answering
emails, managing your social media… it still counts!
Pro tip: Keep records of your total square footage and the portion dedicated to your business. This will make
calculating your deduction much easier at tax time.
3. Business-Related Travel
Attending a wellness retreat, conference, or training in another city? If the primary purpose of your trip is
business, you may be able to deduct:
- Airfare, train tickets, or mileage if you drive
- Hotel accommodations
- 50% of meals during the trip
- Ground transportation (rideshares, taxis, shuttles)
4. Supplies & Equipment
The tools you use to serve clients can often be deducted in the year you buy them. For wellness
entrepreneurs, this can be a surprisingly broad category:
- Yoga mats, blocks, straps, or blankets for a studio
- Massage tables, oils, or aromatherapy diffusers for a massage therapist
- Light therapy lamps, resistance bands, or balance balls for fitness trainers
- Wellness tech like heart rate monitors or biometric scanners
Pro tip: If you buy high-cost equipment (like a $3,000 reformer machine), you may be able to deduct the
full cost in the year of purchase through the Section 179 deduction instead of depreciating it over time.
5. Marketing & Brand Development
Your brand is more than just your logo it’s how you attract and retain clients. The costs of building and promoting your brand are generally deductible, including:
- Website design, hosting, and maintenance fees
- Paid advertising (Google Ads, Instagram, Facebook)
- Professional photography for branding or promotional materials
- Graphic design for logos, brochures, or social media content
- Content creation expenses (props, video equipment, editing software)
Pro tip: Don’t forget recurring subscriptions like Canva Pro or email marketing software these add up and are
fully deductible as business expenses.
6. Health Insurance Premiums for the Self-Employed
If you’re self-employed and paying for your own health insurance, you may be able to deduct your premiums
even if you don’t itemize deductions. This can be a major tax break, especially with today’s healthcare costs.
Pro tip: This deduction has a few eligibility requirements, such as not being eligible for coverage through a
spouse’s employer, so check with your accountant to make sure you qualify.
→ How to Make Sure You’re Claiming Everything You Can
It’s one thing to know about deductions it’s another to be ready to prove them. The IRS doesn’t require you to
submit receipts with your tax return, but if you’re ever audited, you’ll need to show documentation.
Here’s how to stay audit-ready without the stress:
- Use a dedicated business bank account and credit card to keep personal and business spending
- separate.
- Track expenses in real-time using accounting software like QuickBooks or Wave.
- Save receipts digitally by snapping photos and uploading them to a secure folder.
- Work with a tax professional who understands the wellness industry and can identify deductions you
- might miss on your own.
Final Thoughts
As a wellness entrepreneur, your passion is helping others live better lives but your own financial health
matters too. By being proactive and informed about your tax deductions, you can keep more of what you earn
and reinvest in your business’s growth.
The six deductions we’ve covered from home office expenses to marketing costs are just the beginning. The
key is keeping good records and working with a professional who can tailor your tax strategy to your unique
business.
Because at the end of the day, every dollar you save on taxes is another dollar you can use to serve your
clients, grow your reach, and build the wellness business you’ve always envisioned.
Make sure to seek guidance from qualified financial advisors and healthcare professionals for
personalized advice.