You're a business now — act like one
The moment booth rent or client payments lands on a 1099, the IRS puts you in the same category as any small business owner. That means self-employment tax, quarterly estimated payments — and the upside: you can deduct ordinary and necessary business expenses against what you earn.
Most stylists don't think of themselves as businesses, so they don't keep business records. Between clients, color appointments, and chair time, the costs pile up quietly — and the ones that never get recorded never get deducted.
The deductions most stylists can claim
1. Booth rent
The weekly chair or suite rent is often a stylist's single biggest deduction after product.
2. Color stock and backbar
Color, developers, shampoo, treatments — supplies consumed per client.
3. Tools
Shears, dryers, irons, brushes, and clippers — deducted or depreciated depending on cost.
4. License and continuing education
Cosmetology renewals, advanced classes, and certification fees.
5. Liability insurance
Professional liability coverage for chemical services.
6. Booking and payment software
Vagaro, Square, GlossGenius, and card-processing fees.
7. Laundry and linens
Towels, capes, and the cost of washing them.
What the IRS actually wants to see
Deductions aren't denied because they weren't real — they're denied because they weren't documented. The standard: a receipt or bank record for expenses, a mileage log with business purpose, and records made close to when the expense happened. A mileage log kept as it happens is worth far more than one reconstructed in April — the IRS knows the difference.
That's the workflow DeductionDog was built around: capture receipts by photo or by scanning your email, log drives automatically, then export the year as an accountant-ready package — every item mapped to its Schedule C line.
Related videos
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Watch3 Tax Myths 1099 Workers Believe
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WatchThe 1099 Problem
Video — why gig workers overpay, and what poor records actually cost.
DeductionDog provides record-keeping software, not tax advice. Deduction eligibility depends on your specific facts — when in doubt, talk to a qualified tax professional.