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🦺 Work Clothes & Tax Deductions for Contractors

🦺 Work Clothes & Tax Deductions for Contractors

  • Quick IRS rule:
  • Work clothes are not deductible unless they’re not suitable for everyday wear.

❌ Not deductible:Jeans, hoodies, T-shirts, flannels, Carhartt jackets, everyday boots.

✔️ Usually deductible:Hard hats, steel-toed safety boots, safety glasses, gloves, hi-vis gear, FR clothing, coveralls.

⚠️ Logo clothing isn’t automatic.It must be required for work and not worn personally.

👷 Have employees?Employees can’t deduct work clothes anymore.Use an accountable plan to reimburse safety gear:• Tax-free to employees• Deductible to the business

TLDR:

Most clothes aren’t deductible — safety gear and properly structured reimbursements are.

Disclaimer: This content is provided for educational purposes only and is not legal, tax, accounting, or financial advice. Every situation is unique, so consult your own attorney, CPA, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this information.