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Write-offs
What hairstylists can write off
If you rent a booth or suite, or get paid on a 1099, you're running a business, and these come off your income before tax is figured. Most stylists miss a few. Here's the list, grouped by where the money goes.
Your chair
Booth or suite rentEvery weekly or monthly payment, including weeks you're on vacation.
Booking and payment appsVagaro, GlossGenius, Booksy, Square subscriptions, plus card processing fees.
Liability insuranceProfessional and general liability for your chair.
Salon software and websiteYour booking page, domain, and any scheduling or text reminders you pay for.
Tools and product
Shears, razors, dryers, ironsSmall tools come off right away. A big purchase can too, under the de minimis rule.
Color, developer, foils, glovesEverything that goes on a client's head, including back-bar product.
Capes, towels, laundryPlus the laundromat or the business share of washing them at home.
Retail you resellThe cost of shampoo, styling product and tools you sell to clients.
License and learning
Cosmetology license and renewalState board fees, plus any city or county business license.
Classes and educationColor, cutting and extension courses that sharpen the work you already do.
Hair showsTickets, and travel and lodging when the show is out of town.
Phone, car and home
Phone and dataThe business share: client texts, booking, Instagram.
Business milesSupply runs and house calls. At the 2026 IRS rate per mile, or actual costs.
Home officeOnly if a space is used regularly and only for the business.
Getting clients
Instagram and TikTok adsBoosted posts and paid promotion.
Photos and contentRing light, photographer, editing apps used for your work.
Business cards and referral giftsGifts are capped at $25 per client per year.
Usually doesn't count
Street clothes, even all-black salon wear you could wear out
Your own haircuts, color and nails
Driving from home to the salon you work at every day
Meals by yourself on a workday
What to set aside
How much to set aside for taxes
Nobody takes tax out of a booth renter's pay. Put in a normal week and see roughly what to move to savings each week so April isn't a shock.
$299to set aside each week you work
22%of every dollar of profit
$3,589roughly, each quarterly payment
Services + tips (48 weeks)$86,400
Rent (52 weeks) and supplies−$21,000
Profit you pay tax on$65,400
Self-employment tax$9,241
Federal income tax$5,114
Set aside for the year$14,354
A rough estimate, not a promise: 2026 federal rates, single filer, standard deduction, no other income, credits or QBI deduction. Every write-off you log lowers the profit line, and the set-aside with it.
Toozi