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So, I'm a freelance web programmer by trade, which means that my time really is money. I, occasionally, work on side projects of my own and forgo the possibility of earning direct income for that time.
I wonder, can my freelancing business bill my side project (as a business) for time spent? Could I deduct that expense from the side project's taxes?
This is in regards to U.S. tax law.
To expand a little on what littleadv said, you can only deduct what something cost you. Even if you had done volunteer work for a charity as a sole prop you could only deduct your actual costs. If you paid an employee to do charity work or to learn something related to the business that would be deductible as a normal business expense.
Some common sense would show that if you could deduct something that didn't cost you anything (your time) you could deduct away all of your income and avoid paying taxes altogether.
Back to your more nuanced question could 2 businesses you own bill each other for services? Yes, but you will still have to pay taxes for money earned under each of them. You will also need to be careful that the IRS does not construe the transactions as being done solely to lower your tax bill.
No, you cannot write off time, period. You should price the time spent into your product.
I, occasionally, work on side projects of my own and forgo the possibility of earning direct income for that time.
Income not earned is income not taxed, so there's nothing to deduct.
