Free for Startup Founders

You Build Products That Change the World. Your Bookkeeping Should Keep Pace.

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

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SaaS & Software

Line 18

AWS, Stripe, Notion, Slack, GitHub, Figma, analytics.

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Contractors

Line 11

Developers, designers, copywriters, consultants.

☁️

Cloud & Hosting

Line 18

AWS, GCP, Azure, Vercel, domains, SSL.

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Marketing & Ads

Line 8

Google ads, Meta ads, ProductHunt, content, PR.

⚖️

Legal & Formation

Line 17

Incorporation, trademark, terms of service, privacy policy.

✈️

Travel & Conferences

Line 24a

SaaStr, Web Summit, investor meetings.

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Equipment

Line 13

Laptop, monitor, desk, chair, phone. Section 179.

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Co-working Space

Line 20b

WeWork, Industrious, home office deduction.

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.

S

Get Your Free Startup Founder 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?

🇺🇸

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 startup founders claim?+
Self-employed startup founders may deduct ordinary and necessary business expenses under IRC Section 162. Commonly claimed deductions include SaaS and software subscriptions (Line 18), contractor payments (Line 11), cloud hosting (Line 18), marketing and ads (Line 8), legal and formation costs (Line 17), and equipment (Line 13). 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. Startup founders use Schedule C to report revenue and deduct business expenses like software, contractors, and hosting. Our free template is an organizational tool that categorizes expenses by the correct Schedule C line numbers.
How much tax do self-employed startup founders pay?+
Self-employed startup founders 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. Founders with losses may be able to offset other income in certain situations. Consult a qualified tax professional to understand your specific tax obligations.
Do I need to file quarterly estimated taxes as a startup founder?+
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. Startup income can be unpredictable, so tracking expenses year-round helps you estimate quarterly payments more accurately.
Can startup founders deduct costs before generating revenue?+
Under IRC Section 195, you may deduct up to $5,000 in startup costs in the year your business begins, provided total startup costs do not exceed $50,000. Amounts exceeding the limit are generally amortized over 15 years. Organizational costs may also qualify for similar treatment. 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 startup founders with contractor payments, equipment depreciation, and potential R&D credits, 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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