Lynda ArtesaniLegal Accountant and Data Migration Specialist at The Proper Trust

"Can I write off my hair cut or my suit for court?"

12 Jul 2024 · 1 min

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In this brief monologue, the speaker recounts common client questions about whether personal grooming expenses (haircuts) and courtroom attire (suits, shoes) can be deducted as business expenses on tax returns. The speaker explains that such items are generally not deductible because they are not exclusively used for work and are suitable for personal occasions like funerals or weddings. An exception is noted for professionals whose clothing is clearly branded or labeled for a specific trade (e.g., yoga teachers), which can qualify as a deductible work‑only expense. The overall message is that unless the item is unmistakably work‑specific and not usable in personal life, the IRS will not allow a deduction.

Chapters

I had one that wanted to write off their hair, getting haircuts. Haircuts. Yeah. Yep. And I— they said, why can't— why is this in my distributions? Why is it here? And I said, well, you can't write off your haircut. Why can't I? I need it for court. That's a common, a common thing. And you need it for life. Of course, the shoes one, I had the same conversation. It was actually about a suit. Can I write my suit off? I only wear my suits to court. And the rule about that has to— it, it— I've had this when I work with yoga teachers. It has to be branded and labeled. And, and so a suit's not going to fall into that because my answer back, Sarah knows, you wear that suit to a funeral or a wedding? Well, yeah. Then it can't write it off.