Free for Interior Designers

You Design Beautiful Spaces for a Living. Your Books Should Be Just as Polished.

The free bookkeeping tool that helps interior designers 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 interior designers may be able to claim under IRC §162. Our template has them pre-loaded.

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Showroom & Samples

Line 22

Showroom access fees, fabric samples, trade accounts, finish samples.

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Design Software

Line 18

AutoCAD, SketchUp, Design Manager, Studio Designer, Houzz Pro.

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Client Reimbursables

Line 38 (COGS)

Furniture, fixtures, materials purchased for client projects.

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Mileage & Travel

Line 9

Driving to clients, showrooms, vendor visits, site checks.

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Marketing

Line 8

Portfolio website, Instagram, Houzz, photography, business cards.

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Insurance

Line 15

Professional liability (E&O), general liability, property.

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Subcontractors

Line 11

Installers, painters, upholsterers, custom workroom.

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Studio & Office

Line 20b

Studio rent, home office, furniture, sample storage.

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 Interior 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 interior designers claim?+
Self-employed interior designers may deduct ordinary and necessary business expenses under IRC Section 162. Commonly claimed deductions include showroom and sample costs (Line 22), design software (Line 18), client reimbursable materials (Line 38 COGS), mileage to clients (Line 9), marketing (Line 8), insurance (Line 15), and subcontractor payments (Line 11). Your tax situation may vary, so consult a qualified tax professional for personalized guidance.
What is Schedule C?+
Schedule C (Form 1040) is the IRS form where sole proprietors and single-member LLCs report business income and expenses. It calculates your net profit or loss, which flows to your Form 1040. Interior designers use Schedule C to report design fees, commissions, and product markups. Our free template is an organizational tool that categorizes expenses by the correct Schedule C line numbers.
How much tax do self-employed interior designers pay?+
Self-employed interior 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. Many designers may also owe state income tax. Consult a qualified tax professional to understand your specific tax obligations.
Do I need to file quarterly estimated taxes as an interior 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. Interior design income can be project-based and seasonal, so tracking expenses year-round helps you estimate quarterly payments more accurately.
How do interior designers handle client reimbursable purchases on Schedule C?+
Furniture, fixtures, and materials purchased on behalf of clients and resold may be reported as Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) on Schedule C Part III. Track each client project separately for accurate reporting. Trade discounts reduce your cost basis but are not reported as separate income. Consult a qualified tax professional for guidance on 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 interior designers with trade purchases, client reimbursables, and subcontractor payments, an EA can help ensure compliance and identify all eligible deductions. Arc & Ledger's team of Enrolled Agents specializes in Schedule C businesses.

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