Get a Tax Break for Shoveling Snow
You may be able to write off what you pay the neighborhood kid to shovel your walk -- plus the cost of the shovel.

I run a small business out of my home, where I occasionally meet with clients and often receive deliveries. Every time it snows, I pay $20 to the kid next door to shovel -- and this weekend's blizzard will probably cost extra! Can I deduct what I pay him, plus the cost of the de-icing salt and shovels?
If you qualify for the home-office deduction, you can include these costs as maintenance expenses, says Clare Levison, a CPA in Roanoke, Va. You must use the regular method to calculate the deduction, based on your actual expenses, not the “simplified method,” in which you multiply the square feet of your home office by $5.
The amount you can deduct is prorated based on the percentage of your home devoted to your business activities. For example, if the space you use for your home office is one-fifth of the square footage of your home, then one-fifth of these expenses will be deductible. The same is true for utilities, rent or mortgage interest, and homeowners insurance premiums. “You should keep good records of your expenses,” says Levison. “It’s always best to get a receipt whenever possible.”

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Report these maintenance expenses on line 19 of IRS Form 8829, Expenses for Business Use of Your Home. For more information, see Instructions for Form 8829. To find out whether you qualify for the home-office deduction, see IRS Publication 587, Business Use of Your Home. Also see Most-Overlooked Tax Breaks for the Self-Employed.
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.

As the "Ask Kim" columnist for Kiplinger's Personal Finance, Lankford receives hundreds of personal finance questions from readers every month. She is the author of Rescue Your Financial Life (McGraw-Hill, 2003), The Insurance Maze: How You Can Save Money on Insurance -- and Still Get the Coverage You Need (Kaplan, 2006), Kiplinger's Ask Kim for Money Smart Solutions (Kaplan, 2007) and The Kiplinger/BBB Personal Finance Guide for Military Families. She is frequently featured as a financial expert on television and radio, including NBC's Today Show, CNN, CNBC and National Public Radio.
-
Did Your Social Security Check Get Smaller: What Garnishment Rules Mean for You
Do you know who can garnish your monthly Social Security benefit? Or take the funds from your bank account? Learn how to protect your benefits from creditors.
-
Value vs Growth: Decoding These Two Ways to Invest Isn't So Simple
The difference between growth and value stocks isn't black and white.
-
New SALT Deduction Could Put Thousands Back in California Homeowners’ Pockets
Tax Breaks The federal state and local sales tax (SALT) deduction cap is higher this year, and could translate into bigger savings for Golden State homeowners.
-
Three Surprising Ways Trump’s New Tax Law Could Change Your Child’s Money Story
Tax Tips The Trump tax bill could help your child with future education and homebuying costs. Here’s how.
-
New Cap on Gambling Loss Deductions Begins Soon: What to Know Now
Tax Changes A gambling losses tax deduction cap in Trump’s “big beautiful bill” is causing an uproar. Here’s what you need to know.
-
Parents Prepare: Trump's Megabill Brings Three Crucial Tax Changes
Tax Changes Are you a parent? The so-called ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ (OBBB) impacts several key tax incentives that can affect your family this year and beyond.
-
Elon Musk and Most Taxpayers Don't Like What's in Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Tax Policy President Trump is betting big on his newest tax cuts, signed into law on July 4. But not everyone is on board.
-
2025 SALT Cap Could Hurt Top 'Hidden Home Cost'
Tax Deductions The GOP tax bill could make hidden homeowner costs worse for you. Here’s how.
-
No Social Security Tax Changes in Trump’s 'Big Bill'? What Retirees Need to Know
Tax Policy Eliminating taxes on Social Security benefits is missing from President Trump’s tax overhaul. Here’s why and what an alternative offering could mean for retirement taxes.
-
Five Surprising GOP Senate Bill Tax Changes to Know
Tax Policy Senate Republicans proposed tax changes for Trump’s ‘one big, beautiful bill.” Some provisions have stirred debate.