Free for Doulas

Support Families Through Birth. We Support You Through Tax Season.

The free bookkeeping tool that helps self-employed doulas organize ordinary and necessary business expenses for Schedule C.

Download Free TemplateSee What You Can Deduct
60+
Business Types
6 Tabs
Per Template
500+
Transaction Rows
$0
Completely Free

Tax Deductions You May Be Missing

These are common Schedule C business expenses that doulas may be able to claim under IRC §162. Our template has them pre-loaded.

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Supplies

Line 22

Birth ball, rebozo, TENS unit, essential oils, comfort items.

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Mileage

Line 9

Driving to births (on call 24/7), prenatal/postpartum visits.

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Insurance

Line 15

Professional liability insurance.

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Advertising

Line 8

DoulaMatch, Google ads, Instagram, website.

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Software

Line 18

Client management, Zoom, phone, intake forms.

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Certifications

Line 23

DONA, CAPPA certification, CPR/NRP.

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Training

Line 27

Continuing education, birth workshops, conferences.

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Backup Doula

Line 11

Backup doula fees, photographer, LC referral.

How It Works

1

Download

Pick your business type. Get a free template. No signup.

2

Categorize

Enter your bank transactions. Pick from the dropdown. ~30 min.

3

Review

Schedule C summary auto-calculates your income, expenses, and tax.

4

File

Hand it to your Enrolled Agent. Or let Arc & Ledger prepare your return from $300.

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Get Your Free Doula Template

We'll email your template directly — open it in Excel or upload to Google Sheets. No software to install.

What's Inside

✓ Start Here tab with step-by-step instructions
✓ Business Info tab — your details, ready for filing
✓ Expense categories pre-loaded for your industry
✓ 500-row transaction tracker with dropdown categories
✓ Schedule C summary — auto-calculates your totals
✓ Monthly summary for quarterly estimated taxes

We'll email your template directly. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

ENROLLED AGENT TAX SERVICES

Too Busy to DIY?
We'll Handle Everything.

Arc & Ledger is a tax and bookkeeping firm led by Enrolled Agents — authorized to prepare your return and represent you directly before the IRS. Over 10 years helping self-employed professionals like you.

✓ Schedule C tax preparation from $300
✓ Monthly bookkeeping from $200/mo
✓ S-Corp election & tax planning
✓ Authorized to represent you before the IRS
✓ Enrolled Agents — pass rigorous IRS exam
✓ 10+ years serving self-employed professionals
arcandledger.com | (310) 876-0249
bookkeeping@arcandledger.com | Culver City, CA

Get Your Price in 30 Seconds

Question 1 of 4

What income did you have in 2025?

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Need to File for Free? The IRS Can Help.

If you earned under $84,000, you may qualify for IRS Free File — free tax preparation software provided through an IRS partnership. No cost, no catch.

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Our free template works alongside any filing method — use it to organize your expenses first, then file however works best for you.

Common Questions

What Schedule C deductions can doulas claim?+
Self-employed doulas may deduct ordinary and necessary business expenses under IRC Section 162. Commonly claimed deductions include birth supplies (Line 22), mileage to births and visits (Line 9), liability insurance (Line 15), advertising (Line 8), DONA/CAPPA certification (Line 23), and backup doula payments (Line 11). Your tax situation may vary, so consult a qualified tax professional.
What is Schedule C?+
Schedule C (Form 1040) is the IRS form where sole proprietors report business income and expenses. It calculates your net profit or loss, which flows to your Form 1040. Doulas use Schedule C to report birth support fees, postpartum care income, and childbirth class revenue. Our free template is an organizational tool that categorizes expenses by the correct Schedule C line numbers.
How much tax do self-employed doulas pay?+
Self-employed doulas generally pay both income tax and self-employment tax (15.3% for Social Security and Medicare) on net profit. Your income tax rate depends on your total taxable income and filing status. The self-employment tax applies to net earnings over $400. Consult a qualified tax professional for personalized guidance.
Do I need to file quarterly estimated taxes as a doula?+
If you expect to owe $1,000 or more in federal tax for the year, the IRS generally requires quarterly estimated tax payments. Deadlines are typically April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15. Doula income is often received in lump sums per client, so tracking throughout the year is important for accurate estimates.
Is DONA or CAPPA certification deductible for doulas?+
DONA, CAPPA, and other doula certification costs, renewal fees, and required continuing education may be deductible as ordinary and necessary business expenses on Schedule C Line 23. CPR/NRP certification and professional workshops are also commonly claimed. Consult a qualified tax professional for your specific situation.
Should I hire an Enrolled Agent or do my own taxes?+
An Enrolled Agent (EA) is a tax professional who has passed a rigorous IRS exam and is authorized to represent taxpayers directly before the IRS. Unlike other preparers, EAs must pass a rigorous exam and complete continuing education annually. For doulas with certification costs, mileage, and insurance expenses, an EA can help ensure compliance. Arc & Ledger's team of Enrolled Agents specializes in Schedule C businesses.

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