topic Homeschool parent with side cleaning job, can I deduct mileage?feel in Self employed

Homeschool parent with side cleaning job, can I deduct mileage?feel

akolcharno — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 16:56:23 GMT

I'm a homeschool parent and I have a side cleaning job on Fridays, which is considered self-employment work. On Fridays I am leaving my primary residence where I am working to educate my children to go to this other cleaning job. Is it possible to deduct mileage to that particular job? Or is that simply considered commuting? Please help, I cannot believe the amount of taxes taken for this cleaning job, it took me from $20/hr down to $14 after taxes, it feels out of control and unnecessary!

Re: Homeschool parent with side cleaning job, can I deduct mileage?feel

xmasbaby0 — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 17:13:17 GMT

Sorry--commuting to or from work is not deductible, nor is it a business expense to put on your Schedule C. If you drive from one place that you clean to another place that you clean, you can put that mileage on your Schedule C. Driving from home to the first house you clean is commuting. You are not driving from a "job" when you drive from home.

Re: Homeschool parent with side cleaning job, can I deduct mileage?feel

Vanessa A — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 17:16:52 GMT

No. If you only have one client that you are cleaning for on Fridays, then this would just be considered a commute not business miles. If you are going from client to client, then the mileage between clients would be considered business miles.

Self-Employment taxes are 15.3% of your profit on top of your regular taxes. You are paying both your share and "the employers" share of the Social Security and Medicare taxes. When you are an employee, you are only paying half of that.

Some things you can deduct would be cleaning supplies, advertising, equipment, or a portion of your cell phone bill if you use it to communicate with clients.

I am assuming you did not make quarterly payments throughout 2025, if you plan to do this again in 2026, it may be a good idea to make estimated quarterly payments to avoid penalties. This will also help lower the amount you have to pay at the end of the year when you file your taxes.

Taking Business Expense Deductions