Nail Technicians and Beauty Pros: 2025 Tax Deductions You Shouldn’t Miss (+ Free Deduction Checklist)
- Peter Nguyen – CPA, EA, MAFM
- Jul 11
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 17
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As a nail technician, hairstylist, esthetician, or cosmetologist, you’re not just in the beauty business—you’re running a real business. And like any smart entrepreneur, you deserve to keep more of your hard-earned money.
At BizcoTAX CPA, we specialize in helping beauty professionals, freelancers, and small business owners take control of their finances, save on taxes, and grow with confidence. This guide breaks down the top tax deductions you can take advantage of in 2025—in plain, human language—so you can feel empowered, informed, and ready to thrive.
Table of contents:
Why Tax Deductions Matter for Beauty Professionals
Tax deductions help you reduce your taxable income—legally lowering how much you owe to the IRS. But too many beauty pros leave money on the table simply because they don’t know what qualifies. The truth? Almost every dollar you spend to keep your business running could be putting money back in your pocket—if you know how to claim it.
1. Supplies & Materials: Everything You Use to Work Your Magic
Deduct anything you use directly for client services:
Nail Products: Gels, acrylics, polishes, nail art supplies
Hair Products: Shampoos, conditioners, hair dyes, styling sprays
Skin Care: Lotions, creams, exfoliants
Tools & Equipment: Scissors, clippers, brushes, dryers, lamps, files
Sanitation Supplies: Gloves, masks, disinfectants
👉 If you use it to serve clients or deliver your service, it’s likely deductible.
2. Uniforms & Work Clothing
Smocks, aprons, branded uniforms—if it's required for work and not suitable for everyday wear, you can deduct it.
Laundry & Dry Cleaning: If you have to clean those work clothes, that’s deductible too.
3. Continuing Education & Licensing
Investing in yourself pays off twice: better skills and tax savings. Deduct:
Courses, certifications, and professional development
Trade shows, industry conferences, workshops
State licensing and renewal fees
Professional membership dues
👉 Pro Tip: The education must maintain or improve your existing skills—not prepare you for an entirely new career.
4. Advertising & Marketing
Growing your client base costs money—good news is, it's fully deductible:
Business cards, brochures, flyers
Website development, hosting, and maintenance
Paid social media ads (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok)
Professional photography or video for marketing
Don’t forget online booking tools or scheduling software—they count too!
5. Rent, Booth Rental & Home Office
Salon Booth Rent: 100% deductible if you rent space in a salon.
Home Office Deduction (if applicable): If you have a dedicated space used regularly and exclusively for business, you can claim part of your rent, mortgage interest, utilities, and home insurance.
6. Insurance: Protect Yourself, Deduct the Cost
Professional liability insurance
Equipment insurance
Health insurance premiums (if self-employed and not covered elsewhere)
Contributions to a Health Savings Account (HSA) if you have a high-deductible health plan—these are deductible too.
7. Travel & Vehicle Expenses
Mileage: Track every business-related trip.
Travel Expenses: Flights, hotels, rideshares, and meals while attending business-related events or training.
Daily commute doesn’t count—but driving to a supply store, client site, or seminar? Absolutely.
8. Office, Tech & Admin Expenses
Anything you use to run the back-end of your business counts:
Pens, paper, appointment books
Computers, tablets, phones used for business (or the business portion)
Software: QuickBooks, Square, Fresha, Canva, even Zoom for virtual consultations
Office furniture: desks, chairs, storage
9. Banking, Legal & Professional Services
Bank account fees
Credit card processing charges
Bookkeeping, tax preparation, legal advice, or consulting fees
10. Self-Employment Tax & QBI Deduction
As a self-employed beauty pro, you pay 15.3% self-employment tax (Social Security + Medicare). You can deduct half of this on your tax return.
You may also qualify for the Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction, which could lower your taxable income—a big deal for solo beauty entrepreneurs and LLC owners.
Bonus: Startup Costs & Depreciation
If you launched your business recently:
Deduct up to $5,000 in startup costs (branding, initial inventory, legal setup)
Deduct equipment purchases (chairs, salon furniture, tech) via Section 179 or depreciation.
Record-Keeping: The Secret to Saving Big
Track receipts and invoices (paper or digital).
Use accounting software (QuickBooks, Wave, or salon-specific tools) for income and expense tracking.
Categorize expenses correctly (this is where most people overpay or under-claim).
Maintain logs for mileage, education, and client expenses.
👉 Better records = Bigger refunds + Audit protection.
Why BizcoTAX CPA? Your Tax Partner for the Beauty Industry
You get more than an online checklist—you get a tax partner who understands our world:
Nail tech, cosmetologist, or beauty entrepreneur? We specialize in maximizing your unique deductions.
We help ensure compliance, minimize audit risk, and position your business for growth.
Our clients save thousands by uncovering deductions they didn’t know existed.
Ready to Simplify Your Taxes & Maximize Savings?
Let’s make your 2025 tax season stress‑free—while keeping more in your pocket.
📞 Book a FREE consultation with BizcoTAX CPA—no strings attached.
Get in Touch Today:
Website: https://www.bizcotax.com
Phone: +1 (301) 917-7767
Email: info@bizcotax.com
Contact Page:
Read more blogs concerning tax tips and your business here.
Disclaimer: This post is to be used for educational/informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, business, or tax advice. Laws, regulations, and tax rates can change frequently and vary by location. Each person should consult his or her own attorney, CPA, business advisor, or tax advisor with respect to matters referenced in this post. We assume no liability for actions taken in reliance upon the information contained herein.
Peter Nguyen – CPA, EA, MAFM
Peter Nguyen is the co-founder and tax strategist at BizcoTAX CPA & Accounting Services, specializing in accounting, tax, audit, and business consulting. He helps over 3,500 clients nationwide reduce tax liabilities, stay compliant, and grow their businesses with smart financial strategies.
