Tax Tips for Photographers: Deductions, Mileage, and Year-Round Prep (with Heather Lacey)

Taxes don’t have to be the thing you avoid until April. In this episode of The Portrait System, Nikki sits down with Heather Leicy (tax prep educator + bookkeeper + working photographer) to break down photographer tax deductions, year-round tax prep, and the biggest “can I write this off?” mistakes.

You’ll learn:

• What to do monthly so you’re not scrambling at tax time
• A simple system for setting aside 20–30% for taxes
• Common photographer deductions: education, software, gear, website costs, client gifts
• The truth about meals/coffee write-offs (when it counts, when it doesn’t)
• Home office deduction basics and “dedicated space” rules
• Why mileage tracking is one of the most missed deductions (and the app Heather recommends)
• A simple breakdown of LLC vs S-corp taxation and why it’s a math decision
• Why sales tax rules vary so much by state (digital vs physical vs services)

Important: This episode is for educational purposes only and is not tax, legal, or accounting advice. Tax laws vary by location and change over time. Always consult a qualified CPA/tax professional about your specific situation.

Find Heather

• Instagram: @heather.marie.Leicy
• Community: Conquer Community – theconquercommunity.com

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