Free for Designers

Design for Clients All Day. Your Tax Return Deserves Good Design Too.

The free bookkeeping tool that helps self-employed graphic designers and web developers 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 designers may be able to claim under IRC §162. Our template has them pre-loaded.

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Supplies & Materials

Line 22

All ordinary and necessary supplies for your business.

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Vehicle & Mileage

Line 9

Gas, mileage to jobs, vehicle maintenance.

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Insurance

Line 15

Business liability, health insurance, vehicle.

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Advertising

Line 8

Google ads, social media, website, business cards.

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Software & Phone

Line 18

Business apps, phone (business portion), CRM.

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Contract Labor

Line 11

Payments to helpers and subcontractors.

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Licenses

Line 23

Business license, professional certifications.

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Other Expenses

Line 27

Professional development, safety gear, uniforms.

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 Designer 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 graphic designers claim?+
Self-employed graphic designers may deduct ordinary and necessary business expenses under IRC Section 162. Commonly claimed deductions include design software like Adobe Creative Cloud (Line 18), computer equipment (Line 13), stock photo and font subscriptions (Line 27), advertising and portfolio hosting (Line 8), home office (Line 30), and internet (Line 25). 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. Freelance graphic designers and web developers use Schedule C to report design fees and project income. Our free template is an organizational tool that categorizes expenses by the correct Schedule C line numbers.
How much tax do self-employed graphic designers pay?+
Self-employed graphic designers 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. Consult a qualified tax professional for personalized guidance.
Do I need to file quarterly estimated taxes as a graphic designer?+
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. Freelance design income can be project-based and irregular, so tracking expenses consistently helps estimate quarterly payments more accurately.
Are Adobe Creative Cloud and design software deductible?+
Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, Sketch, and other design software subscriptions may be deductible as ordinary and necessary business expenses on Schedule C Line 18. Stock photo subscriptions, font licenses, and plugin purchases may also qualify. Computer hardware used primarily for design may be eligible for Section 179 expensing. Consult a qualified tax professional.
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 graphic designers with software costs, equipment purchases, and home office deductions, an EA can help ensure compliance. Arc & Ledger's team of Enrolled Agents specializes in Schedule C businesses.

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