25 Tax Write-Offs for Freelance Makeup Artists
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.As a makeup artist, you know there’s nothing so ugly that it can’t be turned into a work of art — and believe it or not, that even holds true for your taxes! By claiming the business expenses you rack up every day on the job, you’ll uncover loads of hidden beauty that most people don’t know how to see.
To help you out, we’ve gathered the best write-offs for makeup artists in one place, so you have a whole palette of savings to work with! Talk about beautiful.
All of the makeup, brushes, and supplies used in your kit is tax-deductible.
Brush cleaners, makeup remover, and other supplies to take care of your supplies are deductible.
Membership fees you pay to get discounts from beauty stores can be written off.
Fees to renew your license to perform your work are fully deductible.
Keeping up with the latest trends and techniques with books and courses 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.
Write off the tools you use to create assets, schedule posts, or pull analytics.
If you need to hire an editor, designer, photographer, or other creative pro, write off what you pay them.
If you drive for work ...
Working as a makeup artist naturally involves a lot of face-to-face interaction, whether you're meeting with a client to discuss their needs for an upcoming event or driving to someone's home to do their makeup.
Luckily, driving for work allows you to deduct a portion of your car expenses which can help save you money on your taxes.
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 ...
Networking is likely a big part of your job as a makeup artist.
Luckily, it counts as a business meal if you go to a restaurant with a client to discuss a brief or grab a work-related coffee with a fellow makeup artist or beauty industry coworker (like a manicurist or esthetician).
If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it's a write-off!
If you leave town for work ...
If you find yourself packing up your brushes and palettes for an out-of-town job, conference, training session, or networking event, remember that your travel expenses can be claimed on your taxes.
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 run your makeup business out of your home, you can claim a portion of home office expenses such as internet and rent.
Don't forget to include the hours you spend on things like practicing makeup trends, working on lead generation and advertising, taking online courses, and managing paperwork and finances.
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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How To Easily Handle Your Freelance Makeup Artist Taxes
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