Can an unpublished writer deduct writing expenses from their taxes?

Question

Expenses like their home office, computer, paper thesauruses and other reference books, trips abroad for research etc?

If not, when (positive thinking) they become published then can they deduct such writing expenses accrued over a few years?

Answer 1

Hmm, sounds like the old invented business routine.  Personally, I think you'd need to establish that you had a genuine business before you claimed deductions, and that means you'd have to publish first.  True, if you're book was a hit, you'd have to pay taxes on your income, but you could at that point try to claim deductions.

However, just what are you deducting anyway?  A computer is probably your biggest deduction, but I doubt the government would allow much of a write-off if you're buying an Alienware that can crack NATO - basically a $300 Computer is enough to write the great-American novel.  I can also imagine the audit you'd face if your book didn't have an obvious connection to your trip (you visited Puerto Rico while preparing a story about a apy thriller set in Helsinki - completely irrelevant?  Hardly.  Audit - likely).

Be prepared to document your expenses and the chronology of your writing.  The likelihood is that the real expenses will be the ones you face actually trying to get your book published, namely Agent;s fees.

Answer 2

As an unpublished writer, you can deduct certain expenses on your taxes. You must have very thorough records and receipts. If I remember correctly, you have five years to show a profit in the field or your writing will be classified as a Hobby by the IRS and after that it becomes a struggle.

You can stockpile your receipts, they go from year to year. I can tell you that even after you are published, you must be very careful about what you claim in terms of your home office and trips. Many things have been red flagged by the IRS and will get you audited.

I am not a tax attorney or an accountant so I would strongly encourage you to talk to your accountant and get the updated specifics.

Karen Syed

http://karensyed.blogspot.com

Answer 3

You can if you file a business return you have to own the business have the business properly documented and the purpose of the business has to be for you to write.