Stock Footage & Images
Stock footage, photos, and B-roll subscriptions for your content.
Tax Form
Schedule C, Line 18
Estimated Savings
$50-500/year
Best for
Income Level
How It Works
Stock footage and image subscriptions used in your content are fully deductible. This includes services like Storyblocks, Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, Envato Elements, and individual clip or image purchases. B-roll footage is essential for professional content and these costs are legitimate business expenses.
IRS Rules & Requirements
- Subscriptions are deducted in the year paid
- Individual purchases are also deductible
- Must be used for business content creation
- Keep receipts and license documentation
- Stock audio and templates from these services also qualify
Real Examples
Storyblocks subscription at $200/year = fully deductible
Shutterstock image pack at $100 = fully deductible
Envato Elements subscription at $200/year = fully deductible
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting to track stock media purchases
- Not deducting individual clip purchases
- Missing template and asset bundles
Pro Tip
Many all-in-one services like Envato Elements include stock footage, music, graphics, and templates - all deductible as one subscription.
Related Deductions
Music Licensing & Royalty-Free Music
Music licensing services like Epidemic Sound, Artlist, and royalty-free music.
Video Editing Software
Adobe Creative Cloud, Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and other editing tools.
Graphic Design Software
Canva Pro, Photoshop, thumbnail tools, and graphic design subscriptions.
Not sure if you qualify?
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