27 Tax Write-Offs for Independent Hairstylists
NAICS business codeYour NAICS business code is a six-digit string of numbers that shows the type of work your business does. NAICS stands for North American Industry Classification System. When you do your taxes, you'll enter it in Box B of your Schedule C.812112
Reviewed bya tax professionalThis content has been reviewed by an Enrolled Agent (EA) with the IRS — the highest credential awarded by the agency. Enrolled Agents are empowered to represent all taxpayers before the IRS, on all types of tax-related matters. Accountants who earn this certification have passed a comprehensive three-part exam on individual and business tax returns. To maintain EA status, they must stay up to date in the field by completing 72 hours of continuing education every three years.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!
Classes you take to enhance your skills after getting your license are tax write-offs.
Licensing fees in the state where you work are considered a write-off.
If you pay a fee for a chair in a salon, you can write it off.
If you use software to keep track of appointments, write off the subscription.
Scissors, hairdryers, curling irons, shampoo, and other supplies you use are all deductible.
If you have to keep inventory of products or samples, you can write these off.
Newspaper or magazine subscriptions used for work-related research can be written off.
Print and online advertising costs for your business are considered write-offs.
Squarespace, Wix, GoDaddy, and other website service fees are fully tax-deductible.
If you need to hire an editor, designer, photographer, or other creative pro, write off what you pay them.
Spotify, Pandora, or other music streaming services you use while with clients are write-offs.
If you drive for work ...
If you drive a car to pick up haircare supplies or to get to client meetings or different salons, you can claim car-related tax write-offs.
Parking for a meeting downtown, or any other work trip, is tax-deductible!
A toll while driving to or from a work destination is tax-deductible!
If you buy a new car, you can write off part of the cost every year for five years.
Flashlights, tire iron, duct tape, and other tools you may need in your vehicle are deductible.
Car insurance monthly fees, registration, even roadside assistance are partially deductible.
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.
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.
Planes, trains, and car rentals are all work-related travel costs that can be written off.
When you travel for work, lodging expenses such as hotel rooms or Airbnb are write-offs.
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.
A desk, chairs, lamps, and other home office necessities are all tax write-offs.
You can write off up to $2,500 for individual repairs to your property.
Gotta keep the lights on in your home office! A portion of your electricity bill counts.
Whether it's rental or homeowners insurance, you can write off a portion through your home office deduction.
It'd be hard to work in an office without running water, huh? Your water bill counts.
Your Comcast bill is a tax write-off. You need internet to do your job!
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