Tax deadline is April 15 — get organized before it's too late. Grab your free template now
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Every Receipt. Every Deduction. Zero Stress.

The free bookkeeping tool that helps painting contractors organize ordinary and necessary business expenses for Schedule C.

Download Free TemplateSee Deductions You're MissingTry the Calculator
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Avg. Missed Deductions
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Deductions Most Painters Miss

Every unclaimed deduction is money left on the table. These painter expenses are pre-loaded in your template — you just fill in the amounts.

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Paint & Supplies

Line 22

Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, brushes, rollers, tape, drop cloths, caulk.

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Subcontractor Labor

Line 11

Payments to helpers, day laborers, and subcontractor painters.

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Vehicle Expenses

Line 9

Gas, oil changes, tires, repairs for your work van or truck.

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Insurance

Line 15

General liability, workers comp, vehicle insurance.

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Equipment Rental

Line 20a

Scaffold rental, lift rental, sprayer rental.

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Advertising

Line 8

Business cards, yard signs, Google ads, Yelp, website.

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Tools & Depreciation

Line 13

Sprayers, ladders, power tools. Section 179 eligible.

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Licenses & Permits

Line 23

Contractor license, business license, DMV fees.

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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Don't Have Excel? No Problem.

Download the file → Open Google Sheets → File → Import → Upload. Done. All formulas, dropdowns, and formatting transfer perfectly.

See full Google Sheets instructions →
S

Download Your Free Painter Template

Every deduction pre-loaded. Works in Excel or Google Sheets. No signup. No email required.

📥 Download for Excel

For Google Sheets: download the file, then open Google Sheets → File → Import → Upload. Full instructions →

Need help filing?

Arc & Ledger's Enrolled Agents prepare Schedule C returns from $300 — and are authorized to represent you directly before the IRS.

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ENROLLED AGENT TAX SERVICES

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Hand It to an Expert.

Most CPAs charge $500-800 for a Schedule C return. Arc & Ledger's Enrolled Agents do it from $300 — and they're authorized to represent you directly before the IRS if anything comes up.

Guarantee: Not happy with the quality? Full refund — no questions asked. You keep any work product.
✓ Schedule C tax preparation from $300 (CPAs charge $500-800)
✓ Monthly bookkeeping from $200/mo
✓ S-Corp election & tax planning
✓ Authorized to represent you before the IRS
✓ Enrolled Agents — passed 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 painting contractors claim?+
Self-employed painting contractors may deduct ordinary and necessary business expenses under IRC Section 162. Commonly claimed deductions include paint and supplies (Line 22), subcontractor labor (Line 11), vehicle expenses (Line 9), insurance (Line 15), equipment rental (Line 20a), and advertising (Line 8). 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. Self-employed painting contractors use Schedule C to report all job income and deduct business expenses like paint, supplies, and vehicle costs. Our free template is an organizational tool that helps you categorize expenses by the correct Schedule C line numbers.
How much tax do self-employed painting contractors pay?+
Self-employed painting contractors 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 painters 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 a painting contractor?+
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 throughout the year so you can better estimate what you may owe.
Can painting contractors deduct subcontractor payments?+
Payments to subcontractors may be deductible on Schedule C Line 11 as contract labor, provided those payments are ordinary and necessary business expenses. If you pay any individual or unincorporated business $600 or more during the tax year, you are generally required to file Form 1099-NEC. Collect a W-9 from each subcontractor before making payment.
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 self-employed painting contractors with subcontractors, vehicle expenses, and equipment deductions, an EA can help ensure compliance and identify all eligible deductions. Arc & Ledger's team of Enrolled Agents specializes in Schedule C businesses.

Every Day You Wait, You Risk Missing Deductions

Your free Painter template has every deduction pre-loaded. No signup. No email. Just download and go.

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