Running a chiropractic practice is rewarding, but when tax season comes around, many chiropractors leave money on the table. Why?

Because they aren’t fully aware of the deductions available to them. While chiropractors are experts in spinal adjustments and patient care, most aren’t trained to “adjust” their tax strategy for maximum savings.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re paying too much in taxes or wondering if you’re missing deductions, you’re not alone. Many chiropractors overpay simply because they don’t have a clear system for tracking expenses and identifying opportunities throughout the year.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the most common tax deductions for chiropractors, highlight areas where you might be missing out, and share tips to help you lower your tax bill — legally and strategically.

1. Chiropractic Equipment and Supplies

From adjusting tables and laser therapy devices to rehabilitation equipment, the tools of your trade are deductible. Even smaller items like pillows, exercise bands, or therapeutic tools count as write-offs.

Pro Tip: Large equipment purchases may qualify for Section 179 depreciation, allowing you to deduct the entire cost in the year you buy it instead of spreading it over several years. Always consult with a tax advisor to optimize these write-offs.

2. Continuing Education and Professional Development

Continuing education (CE) is a requirement for maintaining your license — and the IRS allows you to deduct these costs. This includes:

• CE seminars, online courses, or workshops.

• Travel and lodging expenses related to CE events.

• Professional subscriptions and industry-related books or publications.

Pro Tip: Keep a dedicated folder (physical or digital) for receipts from CE events. Document the purpose of each expense to avoid issues during an IRS review.

3. Marketing and Patient Education

Your marketing efforts are fully deductible — whether you’re running Facebook ads, hiring a digital marketing agency, or printing patient brochures. Community events like wellness fairs or patient appreciation days can also be written off as advertising or promotion.

4. Staff Salaries, Benefits, and Uniforms

Employee wages and benefits are deductible business expenses. Don’t forget costs like:

• Staff uniforms (branded polos, scrubs).

• Staff training programs.

• Employer contributions to health insurance or retirement plans.

Pro Tip: If you hire family members legitimately (e.g., your spouse manages the front desk), you can deduct their salary, which may provide additional tax benefits.

5. Home Office Expenses

If you handle administrative work, billing, or marketing from home, you may qualify for a home office deduction. This includes a percentage of your:

• Rent or mortgage interest.

• Utilities.

• Internet and phone bills.

Pro Tip: The space must be used regularly and exclusively for business purposes — even a small desk area can qualify if it meets this standard.

6. Vehicle Use and Mileage

Do you travel between multiple clinics, pick up supplies, or attend chiropractic events? Your mileage or vehicle expenses can be deducted. You can choose between:

• The standard mileage rate (currently 67 cents per mile for 2025).

• Actual expenses (gas, maintenance, insurance).

Use a mileage-tracking app like MileIQ or QuickBooks to make this easier.

7. Professional Services

Fees paid to accountants, tax advisors, or financial consultants are deductible. Investing in expert guidance not only saves time but also ensures you don’t miss deductions like these.

Common Mistakes Chiropractors Make with Deductions

• Not separating business and personal accounts. This is one of the biggest reasons deductions are missed.

• Waiting until tax season to review expenses. By then, it’s too late to maximize deductions.

• Failing to document purchases. A clean paper trail is essential if you’re audited.

How Profit Boss Helps Chiropractors Save Thousands in Taxes

We specialize in working with chiropractors, which means we know exactly which deductions and tax strategies apply to your business. Beyond simple bookkeeping, we provide:

• Quarterly tax planning to ensure you’re not overpaying.

• Expense reviews to uncover hidden deductions.

• Entity optimization (S-Corp vs. LLC) to minimize your tax burden.

• Cash flow systems so you can pay yourself first while staying tax-compliant.