Do fees to my webmaster for doing my website count as "legal and professional expenses"? Is that the right way to enter this deductible expense?

[miclase2016]

I'm a self employed private tutor and this is my main source of income.

[MinhT]

Yes, you could categorize your webmaster fees as professional fees.

[miclase2016]

Thank you. I gave my webmaster a 1099-Misc form for doing this job, is this still the right category to enter this expense?

[MinhT]

Yes.

[miclase2016]

Thanks again. I am reading under the "comisions expenses" explanation on TurboTax this: "If you paid an independent contractor or freelancer $600 or more for services on a project and did not withhold any type of taxes, you are required to send that contractor, and the IRS, a Form 1099-MISC." I paid my webmaster $1,700 for creating my website. Should this still count as a "professional fee" or should I rather enter it as a "comision expense"? I am a little confused.

[MinhT]

The fees you paid is not really a commission. It is a professional fee which is deductible as a business expense. In fact, the IRS is very flexible on the classification of expenses. The important factor is whether the expense is ordinary and necessary to your business. In this case, it clearly is.