Bookkeeping guides by profession
Common categories for your line of work, in plain English - plus the eligibility questions and records to review before treating an expense as deductible.
Driving, delivery & vehicles
Driver
Rideshare, taxi, medical transport
Delivery
DoorDash, Instacart, Amazon Flex
Moving & hauling
Junk removal, moving help, box-truck hauling
Mobile mechanic / detailer
Auto repair, detailing, tire and glass work
Homes, yards & repairs
Cleaner
House cleaning, maid service, turnover cleans
Handyman
Repairs, maintenance, odd jobs, small renos
Skilled trades
Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, carpentry, painting
Lawn & landscaping
Mowing, landscaping, tree work, snow removal
People, pets & wellness
Pet sitter
Dog walking, pet sitting, boarding, drop-ins
Tutor / coach
Tutoring, lessons, coaching, test prep
Home child care
Family daycare, babysitting, after-school care
Hair & beauty pro
Hair, nails, lashes, barbering, booth rent
Fitness instructor
Personal training, yoga, pilates, group classes
Massage & wellness
Massage, bodywork, private counseling practice
Creating, making & selling
Creator / photographer
Content, photo, video, music
Maker / crafter
Handmade goods, Etsy shops, print-on-demand
Online reseller
eBay, Poshmark, Mercari, Amazon resale
Food business
Home baking, catering, food trucks, meal prep
Professional & sales services
Freelancer / consultant
Design, dev, writing, marketing
Real estate agent
Residential sales, leasing, referral fees
Notary / signing agent
Loan signings, mobile notary, apostilles
Event planner
Weddings, parties, decor and rentals
Independent sales agent
Insurance, direct sales, commissioned reps
Something else
These are educational pointers, not tax advice. Rules change and your situation is specific - worth asking about at tax time. If you can't afford a preparer, the IRS-sponsored VITA program offers free help to people under its income threshold.