20 Business Expenses Indian Freelancers Forget to Claim (Save ₹50,000+ Annually)
Complete checklist of deductible expenses with documentation requirements and tax-saving calculations
Written by
CA Ashama Rajawat
The 20 Forgotten Deductions
Home Office Rent (Proportionate)
If you work from home, claim proportionate rent. Use 1 room for work? Claim 1/3 of rent if 3-room apartment.
Internet & Mobile Bills
Full internet bill deductible if used exclusively for work. Mobile: Claim proportionate (50-80%).
Electricity Bills (Proportionate)
Similar to rent, claim proportionate electricity based on workspace usage.
Software Subscriptions
Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft 365, Grammarly, Canva Pro, hosting, domain names—all fully deductible.
Coworking Space Membership
Monthly desk rental, hot desk passes, meeting room charges—100% deductible.
Laptop & Computer Depreciation
Claim 40% depreciation per year on computers. ₹60K laptop = ₹24K first year, ₹14.4K second year.
Mobile/Tablet Depreciation
15% depreciation on mobile phones, tablets used for work.
Camera & Equipment (For Content Creators)
Camera, lenses, lights, mic—15% depreciation annually.
Furniture & Office Setup
Desk, chair, storage—10% depreciation. ₹40K furniture = ₹4K/year deduction.
Professional Courses & Certifications
Udemy, Coursera, professional certifications related to your work—fully deductible.
Books & Reference Materials
Industry books, magazines, online resources—100% deductible.
Bank Charges & Payment Gateway Fees
PayPal fees, Wise charges, bank transaction fees, annual credit card fees—all deductible.
CA & Professional Fees
Fees paid to CA for ITR filing, GST returns, audit—fully deductible.
Legal & Consultation Fees
Lawyer fees for contracts, trademark registration, business consultations—deductible.
Advertising & Marketing
Google Ads, Facebook Ads, LinkedIn promotions, business cards, website—100% deductible.
Travel for Client Meetings
Flight, train, cab fare for meeting clients or attending conferences—deductible with proof.
Business Meals
Meals with clients or potential clients—keep receipts and note business purpose.
Contractor/Freelancer Payments
If you outsource work (designer, writer, VA), those payments are business expenses.
Insurance (Professional Indemnity)
Professional liability insurance, cyber insurance for freelance business—deductible.
Stationery & Office Supplies
Notebooks, pens, printer, ink, paper—small but adds up!
₹87,150!
This assumes you claim all applicable expenses listed above. Your actual savings will vary based on your expense pattern and income tax slab.
Documentation Requirements
- Invoices & Bills:For all purchases and subscriptions
- Bank Statements:Showing payment from business account
- Rent Agreement:If claiming home office rent
- Purchase Invoices:For assets (laptop, furniture, equipment)
- Travel Tickets & Boarding Passes:For business travel
- Email Trail:For contractor payments, showing work done
Common Mistakes
Proportionate Claim Error
Claiming 100% home expenses when working from 1 room
Missing Documentation
Not keeping invoices/bills (memory-based claims rejected)
Mixed Expenses
Mixing personal and business expenses without separation
Personal Items Claimed
Claiming luxury personal items as business expenses
Conclusion
Most freelancers leave ₹50,000-1,00,000 on the table annually by not claiming legitimate business expenses. Track everything, keep proper documentation, and work with a CA to maximize deductions. The key is maintaining business discipline—use separate accounts for business expenses and keep digital copies of all bills.