Are You Leaving Money on the Table? The Shocking Truth About Missed Small Business Deductions

Running a small business is no small task. You’re managing clients, delivering services,
tracking payments — and then comes tax season, and you realize… you might be
overpaying.

You’re not alone.

According to the IRS and various small business finance surveys, thousands of dollars in
legal deductions go unclaimed each year, all because business owners don’t know what’s
deductible, forget to track purchases, or fear doing it wrong.

The Hidden Cost of Playing It “Safe”

Some small business owners underreport deductions out of caution. Others just don’t have
the time or guidance to identify every valid expense. But here’s what that can cost you:

• The average solopreneur misses between $3,000–$6,000 per year in deductions.
• Service-based businesses often forget up to 40% of their deductible expenses, especially those related to home offices, tech tools, and mileage.
• Over 60% of new business owners don’t claim startup costs even though they can deduct up to $5,000 in their first year.

So What’s Getting Missed?

Here are some of the most commonly overlooked deductions:

• Home office space (even a small dedicated room counts)
• Business use of personal phone or internet
• Software subscriptions (think Zoom, Canva, Notion)
• Mileage for errands, meetings, and deliveries
• Business meals with clients or contractors
• Training, workshops, and even industry books
• Bank and payment processing fees

Many of these are partially deductible, so even mixed-use items (like your phone, car, or
home Wi-Fi) still count if you apply the right percentage.

How to Keep More of What You Earn?

The best way to stop missing deductions? Make it a habit to track all purchases even the
ones you’re unsure about. Then, work with a pro (or a solid system) to help you classify,
document, and apply those deductions properly.

At Pettay Consulting, LLC, we specialize in helping small business owners maximize
legitimate deductions while staying compliant with the IRS. We help you:

• Build easy-to-use tracking systems
• Document gray area deductions with confidence
• Review all transactions for any hidden deductions
• Organize your finances to save money and stress

Ready to See What You’re Missing?

Schedule your free consultation today and let’s uncover your missed deductions together.

Book Now

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