Free for Podcasters

Record Episodes for a Living. Your Deductions Should Speak Up Too.

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

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Recording Equipment

Line 18

Microphone, audio interface, headphones, pop filter, acoustic foam.

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Editing & Hosting

Line 18

Descript, Hindenburg, Buzzsprout, Libsyn, Riverside.

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Editor & Producers

Line 11

Audio editor, show notes writer, social media manager.

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Sponsorship Fees

Line 10

Ad network commission, Patreon cut (5-12%).

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Promotion

Line 8

Podcast promo swaps, Overcast ads, social media ads.

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Studio

Line 20b

Studio rental, podcast studio, recording space.

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Travel

Line 24a

Podcast conferences, in-person guest recordings.

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Music & Licensing

Line 27

Intro/outro music licensing, transcript services.

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 Podcaster 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 podcasters claim?+
Self-employed podcasters may deduct ordinary and necessary business expenses under IRC Section 162. Commonly claimed deductions include recording equipment (Line 18), editing and hosting software (Line 18), editor payments (Line 11), ad network commissions (Line 10), promotion (Line 8), and studio rental (Line 20b). 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. Podcasters use Schedule C to report sponsorship income, ad revenue, and Patreon earnings. Our free template is an organizational tool that categorizes expenses by the correct Schedule C line numbers.
How much tax do self-employed podcasters pay?+
Self-employed podcasters 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 sponsorship, ad, and Patreon income is taxable. Consult a qualified tax professional.
Do I need to file quarterly estimated taxes as a podcaster?+
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. Podcast sponsorship income can fluctuate, so tracking expenses consistently helps estimate quarterly payments more accurately.
Can podcasters deduct microphones and recording equipment?+
Microphones, audio interfaces, headphones, and recording equipment used for your podcast may qualify for Section 179 expensing or may be deducted as office expenses on Line 18. Hosting platform fees (Buzzsprout, Libsyn) are also commonly deducted on Line 18. Consult a qualified tax professional about which method is best for your 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 podcasters with multiple income sources, contractor payments, and equipment costs, an EA can help ensure compliance. Arc & Ledger's team of Enrolled Agents specializes in Schedule C businesses.

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