Expense Tracker for Real Estate Agents
MLS dues, mileage, marketing, and open house costs — all on Schedule C.
Real estate agents are independent contractors with substantial deductible expenses: mileage to every showing, MLS and association dues, E&O insurance, photography, staging, and marketing. CentSense tracks all of it and maps it to the correct Schedule C line.
Real Estate Agent Deductions by Schedule C Line
| Expense | Schedule C Line | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mileage for showings, prospecting | Line 9 | $0.725/mile for 2026 |
| MLS dues | Line 27 | Annual or monthly |
| NAR / state association dues | Line 27 | Professional memberships |
| E&O insurance | Line 15 | Errors and omissions |
| License renewal fees | Line 23 | State license fees |
| Marketing: postcards, signage | Line 8 | Advertising |
| Photography, virtual tours | Line 8 | Per-listing costs |
| Open house supplies | Line 22 | Refreshments, directional signs |
| Staging costs | Line 22 or COGS | Depends on rental vs. purchase |
| Client gifts | Line 22 | $25/client/year cap |
| Professional development | Line 22 | Courses, designations |
| Home office | Line 30 | Exclusive use required |
Mileage: Your Largest Deduction
Most agents drive 15,000–30,000+ business miles per year. At $0.725/mile:
- 15,000 miles = $10,875 in deductions
- 25,000 miles = $18,125 in deductions
Business miles include:
- Driving to property showings and open houses
- Driving to closings and title companies
- Driving to meet clients and prospects
- Office-to-office trips if you have a main and secondary office
Commuting from home to your main office is not deductible unless you have a qualified home office.
Per-Listing Cost Tracking
The client projects feature (Solo plan, $5/month) lets you create a project per listing or transaction. All expenses — photography, staging, marketing, open house costs — roll up per deal.
At year-end you can see which listings were most expensive to sell, and calculate your true net commission after costs. This is also useful for justifying expenses if you're ever audited.
The $25 Client Gift Rule
The IRS limits the gift deduction to $25 per client per year (§274(b)). If you give closing gifts worth $150, only $25 is deductible. The full amount must still be documented with:
- Receipt showing the purchase price
- Note of the client's name
- Business purpose (closing gift, thank-you, etc.)
CentSense lets you attach notes to any scanned receipt for exactly this documentation.