27 Tax Write-Offs for Independent Hairstylists

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When you run your own hair salon, it’s easy for taxes to feel like a tangled mess. But don’t despair, because shaving money off your tax bill is so easy, it’s to dye for. Simply by writing off your ordinary business expenses from your taxes — from new scissors and brooms to haircare products and more — you’ll be able to keep more of your clippings in your own pocket, and out of the IRS’s. And we’ve made it even easier, by compiling all the mane write-offs for hair stylists in one place. It’s shear genius!

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Continued education
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

Classes you take to enhance your skills after getting your license are tax write-offs.

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Cosmetic license
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 23

Licensing fees in the state where you work are considered a write-off.

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Chair fees
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 10

If you pay a fee for a chair in a salon, you can write it off.

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Appointment booking software
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 18

If you use software to keep track of appointments, write off the subscription.

✂️
Haircare tools & supplies
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 22

Scissors, hairdryers, curling irons, shampoo, and other supplies you use are all deductible.

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Inventory & samples
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 36 (COGS)

If you have to keep inventory of products or samples, you can write these off.

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News & magazine subscriptions
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

Newspaper or magazine subscriptions used for work-related research can be written off.

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Advertising
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 8

Print and online advertising costs for your business are considered write-offs.

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Website & hosting fees
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 8

Squarespace, Wix, GoDaddy, and other website service fees are fully tax-deductible.

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Creative assistance
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 11

If you need to hire an editor, designer, photographer, or other creative pro, write off what you pay them.

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Music streaming services
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

Spotify, Pandora, or other music streaming services you use while with clients are write-offs.

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If you drive for work ...

If you drive a car to get pick up haircare supplies or to get client meetings or different salons, you can claim car-related tax write-offs.

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Parking
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

Parking for a meeting downtown, or any other work trip, is tax-deductible!

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Tolls
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

A toll while driving to or from a work destination is tax-deductible!

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Car purchase & depreciation
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 13

If you buy a new car, you can write off part of the cost every year for five years.

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Vehicle tool kit
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 22

Flashlights, tire iron, duct tape, and other tools you may need in your vehicle are deductible.

☂️
Car insurance & registration
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 15

Car insurance monthly fees, registration, even roadside assistance are partially deductible.

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Car maintenance
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 9

Oil changes, repairs, and regular checkups are all tax-deductible if you drive for work.

If you discuss work at a restaurant ...

Going for after-work drinks with coworkers to let your hair down doesn't count as a business expense.

But grabbing food or drinks with coworkers, mentors, clients, or fellow hair stylists to talk about new trends in haircare or styles does count.

The key is that the purpose of your meeting needs to be work-related.

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Business meals
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 24b

If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it's a write-off!

If you leave town for work ...

No need to go splitting hairs: if you travel out of town for an event or meeting that's directly work-related, you can write off your travel costs. This might include an industry event, workshop, course, or meeting with a client that's not in your city.

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Transportation
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 24a

Planes, trains, and car rentals are all work-related travel costs that can be written off.

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Travel lodging
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 24a

When you travel for work, lodging expenses such as hotel rooms or Airbnb are write offs.

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Meals while traveling
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 24a

When you're traveling for work, all meals are tax-deductible. Even takeout!

If you work from home ...

If you've set up an at-home salon where you offer cuts, styling, or treatments, you'll be able to claim the home office deduction.

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Home office furniture
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 18

A desk, chairs, lamps, and other home office necessities are all tax write-offs.

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Property repairs
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 21

You can write off up to $2,500 for individual repairs to your property.

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Power bill
Write it off using:

Form 8829

Gotta keep the lights on in your home office! A portion of your electricity bill counts.

🌪️
Property insurance
Write it off using:

Form 8829

Whether it's rental or homeowners insurance, you can write off a portion through your home office deduction.

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Water bill
Write it off using:

Form 8829

It'd be hard to work in an office without running water, huh? You water bill counts.

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Wi-Fi bill
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 25

Your Comcast bill is a tax write-off. You need internet to do your job!