Graphic Designer

Tax guide for New Zealand freelance graphic designers and visual artists

Allowable Expenses

• Design software — Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, Sketch, Procreate subscriptions
• Hardware — iPad, stylus, drawing tablet, calibrated monitor
• Stock assets — Stock photos, fonts, icon sets, templates
• Home office — NZ$5/week flat rate or actual proportion
• Portfolio & website — Behance Pro, portfolio hosting, domain name

Tax Tips

• Adobe Creative Cloud annual subscription is fully deductible
• Client-specific assets purchased for a project can be expensed against that project's income
• Photography equipment for client shoots is deductible — keep asset register

Frequently Asked Questions

Can graphic designers claim design software subscriptions?

Yes. Software subscriptions like Adobe Creative Cloud are 100% deductible if used exclusively for business. If you also use them personally, claim only the business proportion.