Free for Dog Walkers

Walk Dogs All Day. Your Bookkeeping Shouldn't Chase You All Night.

The free bookkeeping tool that helps dog walkers and pet sitters organize ordinary and necessary business expenses for Schedule C.

Download Free TemplateSee What You Can Deduct
60+
Business Types
6 Tabs
Per Template
500+
Transaction Rows
$0
Completely Free

Tax Deductions You May Be Missing

These are common Schedule C business expenses that dog walkers may be able to claim under IRC §162. Our template has them pre-loaded.

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Supplies

Line 22

Leashes, poop bags, treats, toys, harnesses, first aid kit.

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Mileage

Line 9

Driving to client homes, dog parks, vet visits.

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Platform Fees

Line 10

Rover/Wag platform fees (20-40%), payment processing.

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Advertising

Line 8

Rover boost, business cards, Nextdoor, vet office flyers.

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Insurance

Line 15

Pet care liability insurance, bonding.

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Software

Line 18

Scheduling app (Time To Pet), phone.

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Certifications

Line 27

Pet CPR/first aid, training courses, background check.

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Keys & Lockboxes

Line 27

Key copies, lockboxes, cleaning supplies.

How It Works

1

Download

Pick your business type. Get a free template. No signup.

2

Categorize

Enter your bank transactions. Pick from the dropdown. ~30 min.

3

Review

Schedule C summary auto-calculates your income, expenses, and tax.

4

File

Hand it to your Enrolled Agent. Or let Arc & Ledger prepare your return from $300.

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Get Your Free Dog Walker Template

We'll email your template directly — open it in Excel or upload to Google Sheets. No software to install.

What's Inside

✓ Start Here tab with step-by-step instructions
✓ Business Info tab — your details, ready for filing
✓ Expense categories pre-loaded for your industry
✓ 500-row transaction tracker with dropdown categories
✓ Schedule C summary — auto-calculates your totals
✓ Monthly summary for quarterly estimated taxes

We'll email your template directly. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

ENROLLED AGENT TAX SERVICES

Too Busy to DIY?
We'll Handle Everything.

Arc & Ledger is a tax and bookkeeping firm led by Enrolled Agents — authorized to prepare your return and represent you directly before the IRS. Over 10 years helping self-employed professionals like you.

✓ Schedule C tax preparation from $300
✓ Monthly bookkeeping from $200/mo
✓ S-Corp election & tax planning
✓ Authorized to represent you before the IRS
✓ Enrolled Agents — pass rigorous IRS exam
✓ 10+ years serving self-employed professionals
arcandledger.com | (310) 876-0249
bookkeeping@arcandledger.com | Culver City, CA

Get Your Price in 30 Seconds

Question 1 of 4

What income did you have in 2025?

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Need to File for Free? The IRS Can Help.

If you earned under $84,000, you may qualify for IRS Free File — free tax preparation software provided through an IRS partnership. No cost, no catch.

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Our free template works alongside any filing method — use it to organize your expenses first, then file however works best for you.

Common Questions

What Schedule C deductions can dog walkers claim?+
Self-employed dog walkers and pet sitters may deduct ordinary and necessary business expenses under IRC Section 162. Commonly claimed deductions include supplies (Line 22), mileage to client homes (Line 9), Rover and Wag platform fees (Line 10), advertising (Line 8), pet care insurance (Line 15), and certifications (Line 27). Your tax situation may vary, so consult a qualified tax professional.
What is Schedule C?+
Schedule C (Form 1040) is the IRS form where sole proprietors report business income and expenses. It calculates your net profit or loss, which flows to your Form 1040. Dog walkers and pet sitters use Schedule C to report income from Rover, Wag, and private clients. Our free template is an organizational tool that categorizes expenses by the correct Schedule C line numbers.
How much tax do self-employed dog walkers pay?+
Self-employed dog walkers generally pay both income tax and self-employment tax (15.3% for Social Security and Medicare) on net profit. Your income tax rate depends on your total taxable income and filing status. The self-employment tax applies to net earnings over $400. All Rover and Wag payouts are taxable whether or not a 1099 is issued. Consult a qualified tax professional.
Do I need to file quarterly estimated taxes as a dog walker?+
If you expect to owe $1,000 or more in federal tax for the year, the IRS generally requires quarterly estimated tax payments. Deadlines are typically April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15. Underpayment may result in penalties. Our template helps you track income and expenses so you can better estimate what you may owe.
Are Rover and Wag platform fees deductible?+
Platform fees charged by Rover (20%) and Wag (40%) may be deductible as ordinary and necessary business expenses on Schedule C Line 10 (commissions and fees). These fees can represent a significant portion of your gross earnings. Keep records of all platform statements. Consult a qualified tax professional for your specific situation.
Should I hire an Enrolled Agent or do my own taxes?+
An Enrolled Agent (EA) is a tax professional who has passed a rigorous IRS exam and is authorized to represent taxpayers directly before the IRS. Unlike other preparers, EAs must pass a rigorous exam and complete continuing education annually. For dog walkers with platform income, mileage deductions, and insurance costs, an EA can help ensure compliance. Arc & Ledger's team of Enrolled Agents specializes in Schedule C businesses.

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