10 Common Tax Deductions for Fitness Businesses

As a business owner, you're likely aware that you have access to standard small business tax deductions, but did you know there's a good chance you also can claim a handful of tax deductions specific to your fitness business?

Keep reading to discover which deductions your business may be eligible for and make sure you're not leaving money on the table this tax season.

1. Equipment and gear

Any fitness equipment and gear used exclusively by your clients qualify as a business expense. This could include standard gear such as mats, weights, and machines, but also sound systems or water bottle refill stations. As long as these items are exclusively for the use of your clients, you can deduct them on your tax return.

Keep in mind that larger or more expensive equipment may need to be depreciated over time rather than deducted all at once, allowing you to spread the cost across multiple tax years. To maximize your deductions and stay compliant, it's important to track these purchases accurately in your accounting system, including purchase dates, costs, and expected lifespan.

2. Music and exercise videos

Whether you play music during cycling classes, personal training sessions, or in an open gym, the cost of that music may be tax-deductible. This can include paid downloads, streaming subscriptions, or properly licensed music used in your space.

In addition, the cost of instructional videos purchased to teach or guide clients may also be tax-deductible. As with any other business expense, be sure to keep receipts and documentation that show the videos or music were used for legitimate business purposes as part of your day-to-day operations.

3. Home office expenses

If you run your business from a home office, it's likely that you can claim the home office deduction. To claim this deduction, your home office has to be used regularly and exclusively for business purposes. It should also be the principal place of your business. Having a dedicated office space in your home that you only use for work purposes, with a door that you can close, is ideal. Even a corner of your living room that is used exclusively for business activities will pass the test.

On the other hand, if you use the space for work and personal purposes, you should think twice before claiming the deduction. For example, if you do your bookkeeping at the kitchen table, you can't deduct the square footage of the kitchen or the price of the table as a business expense. Or if you have a training room attached to your house, and you and your friends spend as much time working out there as your clients do, it probably won't qualify for a deduction, as it isn't a dedicated home-based workspace.

To claim the home office deduction, you can either use the regular method or the simplified method. Work with your CPA to decide which deduction method is best for your needs.

4. Professional services

If you hire professionals whose services are necessary and directly related to running your business, such as a lawyer, accountant, bookkeeper, or online bookkeeping service, you can likely deduct the cost of those services on your tax return.

This also includes marketing and creative professionals, such as social media managers, videographers, and photographers. For example, if you hire a social media manager to develop a marketing strategy and manage your social platforms, or a videographer to create promotional content for your gym, those costs are typically fully tax-deductible as business expenses.

If you're unsure whether a specific service or fee qualifies, review the IRS's official guidance on deducting legal and professional fees or consult a tax professional for clarification.

5. Entertainment and meals

If you go out for a meal or a coffee with someone for the express purpose of discussing business, 50% of the price tag is tax-deductible. It's worth noting that the meals and entertainment deduction often draws the attention of the IRS. Keep your receipts, and make a record of who you met with, when you met, and what you discussed.

6. Internet and cell phone

Most businesses can't operate without the use of a phone or access to the internet. Which means business-related phone and internet fees are tax-deductible. If you use these services for business and personal purposes, you can only deduct the percentage of time you use them for business.

7. Education

The price of any class you take to upgrade skills related to your business can be deducted. For instance, if you're a trainer and you take the Group Fitness Instructors Certification with the American Council of Exercise, you can deduct the cost of the course from your taxes.

Note that the education deduction only applies to the cost of courses related to your current business, and not to any anticipated changes in career.

8. Business use of a vehicle

If you travel to meet clients for training sessions, make sure you deduct costs related to the business use of your vehicle. There are two ways to claim business-related vehicle use on your tax return:

1. By using the standard deduction, which is 72.5 cents per mile as of 2025.
2. By claiming the actual cost of gas, oil changes, and other vehicle expenses you paid for in the course of doing business.

Again, work with your CPA to determine the best deduction method. And in the meantime, record how and when you use your vehicle for business with a mileage tracking app like MileIQ.

Tolls, rideshare services, taxis, public transportation, and other costs incurred while traveling for business can also be deducted. This extends to trips you take to meet with clients or to attend conferences and professional development classes.

9. Subscriptions and memberships

Subscriptions that support the operation and growth of your business are generally tax-deductible. This includes professional journals and trade magazines relevant to your industry, as well as memberships in professional organizations. For example, the fees you pay to maintain a Personal Trainer accreditation with the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) can be deducted on your tax return.

10. Work clothing

The cost of work-related clothing may be tax-deductible, particularly uniforms or work attire that are clearly identifiable as business-only. This includes clothing branded with your company's name or logo, such as branded shirts, jackets, or required workwear like slacks worn as part of a defined dress code. Clothing you provide to employees to wear on the job also qualifies as a deductible business expense, as long as it's required for work and not suitable for everyday use.

Additionally, if your work clothing or employee uniforms require dry cleaning, those cleaning costs can also be deducted as part of your business expenses.

11. Business technology and software

Software and platform subscriptions used to run your business, such as Mindbody, accounting software, scheduling tools, payment processors, and other operational platforms, typically qualify as deductible business expenses, as long as they're used for business purposes.

12. Facility and utility expenses

The costs associated with operating and maintaining your fitness facility are often tax-deductible. This includes rent or lease payments for your space, as well as utilities such as electricity, water, gas, heating, and internet service.

You can also deduct expenses related to maintaining the facility, including cleaning services, janitorial supplies, repairs, and routine maintenance needed to keep your space safe and functional for clients.

Prepare your fitness business for tax season

In general, any business-related expense that is both ordinary and necessary may be eligible for a tax deduction. Fitness businesses often have access to a wide range of industry-specific write-offs. What you can deduct ultimately depends on the nature of your business and how each expense supports your operations.

That's why actively and accurately tracking your finances throughout the year is so important. Keeping detailed records, saving receipts, and categorizing expenses as they occur can make tax season far smoother and help ensure you don't miss out on valuable deductions. If you're unsure whether a purchase qualifies, or if an expense isn't covered in this article, hold on to the receipt and review it with your CPA before filing your tax return.

Disclaimer: This information contained herein does not constitute financial, legal, or other professional advice and is meant to be used solely for informational purposes. It does not take into account your specific circumstances and should be not acted on without full understanding of your current situation, future goals and/or objectives by a qualified professional. Mindbody and Bench assume no liability for actions taken in reliance upon the information contained herein.