Can I deduct car washes and cleaning expenses?

Yes, some of your car washing and cleaning expenses would be deductible!

Car cleaning costs are typically already factored into the standard mileage rate. However, if you're incurring extra car cleaning expenses as a result of your self-employment work (that are beyond what you would typically be paying for), then the excess car cleaning expenses would be deductible. For example, if you're a rideshare driver and are routinely cleaning your car for passengers, then those expenses would be deductible.

Unfortunately, the Stride app does not have an expense category for car washes or cleaning as it has come to our attention that some tax preparers may not allow you to claim this expense! 

Stride still believes this expense should be deductible!  We recommend that you track these expenses separately from the app, and use the "Other Expenses" section of your Schedule C to deduct those on your tax return.

If you still would like to track any car cleaning costs in the Stride app, you can use the "Other" expense category, but we do recommend double-checking with a tax professional. 

If you'd like to read a bit more on the subject, you can do so with our article here.