32 Tax Write-Offs for Self-Employed Nail Techs
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.812113
Reviewed bySabrina Wiechart, CPASabrina is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with over 15 years of experience in tax preparation, planning, and S-Corp compliance. She holds a Master’s in Accounting and specializes in helping self-employed individuals make smart tax decisions. Sabrina is passionate about simplifying the S-Corp process and making sure every client keeps more of what they earn.Part artist, part self-care professional, nail techs have a job that covers it all. But when you run your own manicure business, you may quickly find yourself overwhelmed with the administrative side of things.
One area you shouldn’t have to stress over is taxes, especially when there are so many write-offs nail techs can use to lower their tax bills. By claiming these business expenses on your taxes, you’ll free yourself up to focus on your creativity again — after all, everyone loves a splash of green, right?
Licensing fees in the state where you work are considered a write-off.
Continuing education classes required to keep your job are fully deductible.
This covers training that maintains or improves skills for the work you already do. Courses that qualify you for a new trade or profession are not deductible.
If you use software to keep track of appointments, write off the subscription.
Any uniforms you're required to wear on the job are considered tax-deductible.
This applies to clothing you can't reasonably wear outside of work. Everyday clothes don't qualify, even if you only wear them on the job.
Write off everything you use to clean, including sprays, rags, soap, and more.
If you have to keep inventory of products or samples, you can write these off.
Do you pay rent for a dedicated space to see clients? Whether it's a chair in a big salon, or a studio of your own, that counts as a write-off!
Write off all the lacquers, dip powers, and decals you use on clients.
Brushes, cotton pads, cuticle clippers, and other tools for manicures are write-offs.
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 buy a phone or laptop and use it for work, it's partially deductible — in proportion to how much you use it for business. The device itself is depreciated on Box 13 (or expensed under Section 179); your monthly service plan belongs on Box 27b, and accessories on Box 22.
If you need to hire an editor, designer, photographer, or other creative pro, write off what you pay them.
Pay any one contractor $600 or more in a year and you'll need to file a Form 1099-NEC for them.
Write off the tools you use to create assets, schedule posts, or pull analytics.
The UV lamps you need for gel manicures can be written off.
If you also offer waxing, sugaring or laser hair removal, the tools and supplies for those services are write-offs.
Protecting yourself and your business with liability insurance? It's a write-off.
Ventilation and air filtration to handle chemical fumes is depreciated over time. Smaller units can be expensed as supplies on Box 22.
The cut Stripe, PayPal, Square or your invoicing platform takes on each payment is a write-off.
If you drive for work ...
If you drive around for work, like to pick up nail supplies or attend a workshop, you can deduct a portion of your car-related expenses.
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 — if you use the actual expense method. The standard mileage rate already covers them.
Oil changes, repairs, and regular checkups are deductible if you use the actual expense method. Take the standard mileage rate instead and they're already baked into your per-mile deduction.
If you discuss work at a restaurant ...
Much of a manicurist's job happens away from the salon — like grabbing food or drinks with beauty personnel, clients, or fellow manicurists to talk about work.
Don't forget to write these business meal expenses off on your taxes!
If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it's a write-off — 50% of the tab.
If you leave town for work ...
Travel expenses for business trips, like attending an industry conference or client meeting in another city, count as eligible write-offs and can be deducted from 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, your meals are 50% deductible — takeout included. (Long-haul truck drivers subject to DOT hours-of-service rules can deduct 80%.)
If you work from home ...
If clients come to your home for manicures and pedicures, you can claim expenses related to running an at-home business, like a portion of your heat or property insurance.
You should also take into account the hours you spend at home, working on client development, practicing your manicurist skills, or doing industry research.
A desk, chairs, lamps, and other home office necessities are all tax write-offs. Anything over about $2,500 gets depreciated on Form 4562 instead of written off all at once.
Repairs just for your home office are 100% deductible. Repairs to the rest of your home count too, prorated by your business-use percentage on Form 8829.
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.
You need internet to do your job! If you claim a home office, deduct it prorated on Form 8829 along with your other utilities. Internet you pay for on the road, purely for work, is 100% deductible.
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