2025 Tax Guide
Every Tax Deduction for Real Estate Agents
The complete guide to IRS Schedule C deductions. Know exactly what you can write off—and what documentation you need to prove it.
Quick Summary: What Can You Deduct?
In This Guide
Advertising & Marketing
Line 8All marketing expenses to promote your real estate business and listings.
What You Can Deduct
Pro tip: Keep copies of ads and invoices. Screenshot digital ad campaigns before they expire.
Car & Truck Expenses
Line 9Business use of your vehicle for showings, client meetings, and property visits.
Commuting from home to your regular office is NOT deductible. However, trips from home directly to client meetings or showings ARE deductible.
What You Can Deduct
Pro tip: Keep a mileage log with date, destination, purpose, and miles. Use the standard mileage rate for the applicable tax year or actual expenses—not both.
Office Expenses & Dues
Line 18MLS access, professional subscriptions, and office supplies.
What You Can Deduct
Pro tip: Many of these are monthly subscriptions—keep bank/credit card statements organized by vendor.
Staging & Supplies
Line 22Staging costs, open house supplies, and client gifts.
Client gifts over $25/person are limited. Staging costs you pay for sellers' homes are deductible; staging your own investment property is different.
What You Can Deduct
Pro tip: For staging, note the property address on the receipt. Client gifts are deductible up to $25 per person per year.
Business Meals
Line 24bClient lunches, closing dinners, and business meals with referral partners.
IRS rules require documentation of who attended, their business relationship, and the business purpose discussed. Without this documentation, the deduction may be disallowed.
What You Can Deduct
Pro tip: Record who attended, their business relationship, and what business was discussed. Deductibility depends on proper documentation and business purpose.
Education & Training
Line 27aContinuing education, certifications, and professional development.
What You Can Deduct
Pro tip: Keep certificates of completion and receipts. Travel to conferences is also deductible (separately, under travel).
Documentation Requirements
The IRS requires contemporaneous records to substantiate business deductions.
Here's what you need for each category:
For Every Expense
- Receipt or invoice showing vendor name, date, and amount
- Business purpose — why this expense was necessary for your business
- Category — which Schedule C line item it belongs to
For Vehicle/Mileage
- Date of the trip
- Destination — where you went
- Business purpose — showing, client meeting, etc.
- Miles driven — odometer or GPS tracking
For Meals (Extra Requirements)
- Names of attendees — who was at the meal
- Business relationship — client, prospect, referral partner
- Business discussed — what was the purpose of the meeting
Capture Receipts the Way the IRS Expects
SnapExpenses captures receipts in 3 seconds, auto-categorizes to the right Schedule C line, and exports audit-ready documentation for your CPA.
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax advice. Tax laws change frequently. Consult a qualified CPA or tax professional for advice specific to your situation. This guide is maintained by SnapExpenses, an expense tracking tool built for real estate agents filing IRS Schedule C.