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!
Schedule C, Box 27a
Classes you take to enhance your skills after getting your license are tax write-offs.
Schedule C, Box 23
Licensing fees in the state where you work are considered a write-off.
Schedule C, Box 10
If you pay a fee for a chair in a salon, you can write it off.
Schedule C, Box 18
If you use software to keep track of appointments, write off the subscription.
Schedule C, Box 22
Scissors, hairdryers, curling irons, shampoo, and other supplies you use are all deductible.
Schedule C, Box 36 (COGS)
If you have to keep inventory of products or samples, you can write these off.
Schedule C, Box 27a
Newspaper or magazine subscriptions used for work-related research can be written off.
Schedule C, Box 8
Print and online advertising costs for your business are considered write-offs.
Schedule C, Box 8
Squarespace, Wix, GoDaddy, and other website service fees are fully tax-deductible.
Schedule C, Box 11
If you need to hire an editor, designer, photographer, or other creative pro, write off what you pay them.
Schedule C, Box 27a
Spotify, Pandora, or other music streaming services you use while with clients are write-offs.
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.
Schedule C, Box 27a
Parking for a meeting downtown, or any other work trip, is tax-deductible!
Schedule C, Box 27a
A toll while driving to or from a work destination is tax-deductible!
Schedule C, Box 13
If you buy a new car, you can write off part of the cost every year for five years.
Schedule C, Box 22
Flashlights, tire iron, duct tape, and other tools you may need in your vehicle are deductible.
Schedule C, Box 15
Car insurance monthly fees, registration, even roadside assistance are partially deductible.
Schedule C, Box 9
Oil changes, repairs, and regular checkups are all tax-deductible if you drive for work.
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.
Schedule C, Box 24b
If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it's a write-off!
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.
Schedule C, Box 24a
Planes, trains, and car rentals are all work-related travel costs that can be written off.
Schedule C, Box 24a
When you travel for work, lodging expenses such as hotel rooms or Airbnb are write offs.
Schedule C, Box 24a
When you're traveling for work, all meals are tax-deductible. Even takeout!
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.
Schedule C, Box 18
A desk, chairs, lamps, and other home office necessities are all tax write-offs.
Schedule C, Box 21
You can write off up to $2,500 for individual repairs to your property.
Form 8829
Gotta keep the lights on in your home office! A portion of your electricity bill counts.
Form 8829
Whether it's rental or homeowners insurance, you can write off a portion through your home office deduction.
Form 8829
It'd be hard to work in an office without running water, huh? You water bill counts.
Schedule C, Box 25
Your Comcast bill is a tax write-off. You need internet to do your job!
