Free for Drone Pilots

Fly Drones for a Living. Your Tax Deductions Should Soar Too.

The free bookkeeping tool that helps commercial drone pilots 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 drone pilots may be able to claim under IRC §162. Our template has them pre-loaded.

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Batteries & Parts

Line 22

Batteries, propellers, ND filters, memory cards, landing pad.

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Editing Software

Line 18

Premiere, DaVinci Resolve, flight planning apps, laptop.

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Drone Insurance

Line 15

SkyWatch, Verifly liability insurance, hull coverage.

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Equipment Repair

Line 21

Drone repair, gimbal calibration, motor replacement.

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Advertising

Line 8

Demo reel, website, Google ads, real estate partnerships.

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Mileage

Line 9

Driving to job sites, location scouts.

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Part 107 & Licenses

Line 23

Part 107 certification, renewal, LAANC, business license.

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Drone & Camera

Line 13

Drones, cameras, gimbal systems. Section 179 eligible.

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 Drone Pilot 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 drone pilots claim?+
Self-employed drone pilots may deduct ordinary and necessary business expenses under IRC Section 162. Commonly claimed deductions include batteries and parts (Line 22), editing software (Line 18), drone insurance (Line 15), equipment repair (Line 21), advertising (Line 8), and Part 107 certification costs (Line 23). 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. Commercial drone pilots use Schedule C to report aerial photography, mapping, and inspection income. Our free template is an organizational tool that categorizes expenses by the correct Schedule C line numbers.
How much tax do self-employed drone pilots pay?+
Self-employed drone pilots 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 drone pilot?+
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. Underpayment may result in penalties. Our template helps you track income and expenses so you can better estimate what you may owe.
Can drone pilots deduct drones under Section 179?+
Drones, cameras, gimbal systems, and other major equipment may qualify for Section 179 expensing, which allows you to deduct the full cost in the year of purchase. Consumable parts like batteries and propellers are commonly deducted as supplies on Line 22. Consult a qualified tax professional about which method is best for your 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 drone pilots with equipment depreciation, FAA compliance costs, and insurance, an EA can help ensure compliance. Arc & Ledger's team of Enrolled Agents specializes in Schedule C businesses.

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