Clothing and Appearance Deduction argggg

[Possi]

New client is surprised that I didn't ask how much they spent on suits and nail polish!

Well, not nail polish, but hair and general appearance. I just got a copy of last year's return and sure enough, the preparer took about 4200 in "clothing" and "appearance" expenses on the 2106!

I really hate following these tax returns. You don't want to call anyone a crook, and you don't want to scare your new client, but you must stop the madness. I'm certainly not taking these deductions.

Arggg... just venting...

[BP.]

but you must stop the madness.

That's funny!

[Acownt4it]

Crazy

I feel your pain. My client told me last night her nylons and shoes that go with her uniform should be deducted because she bought them specifically for that outfit. 10 minutes later, and 10 times of saying "NOT Deductible", she said "Hmmmf that is news to me".
People are on my nerves already and it isn't even March Madness yet!

[RitaB]

Ha ha

Got a new pastor client one year wanting to deduct his suits. Just regular suits. Nothing special. He said, "Well, it's not like I'm going to wear them to Wal-Mart or anything."

Guess who I saw IN WAL-MART WEARING HIS SUIT after church the VERY next Sunday?

Boy, it was like a chorus of angels went off in my head. ("Ta - da!" with organ music.)

I just grinned at him. He knew exactly why. Never asked about the suits again.

[Burke]

New client is surprised that I didn't ask how much they spent on suits and nail polish! Well, not nail polish, but hair and general appearance. I just got a copy of last year's return and sure enough, the preparer took about 4200 in "clothing" and "appearance" expenses on the 2106! I really hate following these tax returns. You don't want to call anyone a crook, and you don't want to scare your new client, but you must stop the madness. I'm certainly not taking these deductions. Arggg... just venting...

These are usually beauty queens who get paid for their "appearances." While you might get away with an occasional sequined evening gown, most of the "appearance clothing" can be adapted to everyday wear. You said 2106 although the last one I had was incorporated.

[joanmcq]

I did get special make-up through on audit for a newscaster who had to start waxing her face and using special makeup because of HDTV. I mean we aren't talking a mustache here; I looked and there are all these fine hairs on my face that would have to go if I was on HDTV.

Her suits & general appearance? no way.

[tacks]

Hi Possi,

Wow, $4,200 in 'appearance clothing!?!' Good lord!

Wow, and i thought my clients were tough.

Currently i'm working with a 'cement' guy who says the chemicals from the job tear apart his work clothes and they need to be replaced often. The amount is going to be an extra $200 on top of work boots.

That, to me, seems reasonable. Although i expect that at least one person on here will soon be arguing with me.

[gkaiseril]

Have company name sew on label and have the employer make a rule not to wear the cloths when not working and not commuting to and from work.

[tacks]

Wow. That's excellent. Thanks, gkaiseril!

[ChEAr$]

New client is surprised that I didn't ask how much they spent on suits and nail polish!

I really hate following these tax returns. You don't want to call anyone a crook, and you don't want to scare your new client, but you must stop the madness. I'm certainly not taking these deductions.

Arggg... just venting...

General Motors car salesman? (grin

[taxea]

I did get special make-up through on audit for a newscaster who had to start waxing her face and using special makeup because of HDTV. I mean we aren't talking a mustache here; I looked and there are all these fine hairs on my face that would have to go if I was on HDTV.

Her suits & general appearance? no way.

"Had to" that is sheer vanity...she didn't "had to" she wanted to...big difference..,I am really surprised it got through the audit.
Guess I have to rethink this issue.

[Possi]

Speakin of Preachers...

The tax preparer who took all these flagrant deductions is a "preacher!"

STOP THE MADNESS!

[taxea]

I have never heard of "appearance clothing" until this post. I searched and searched the IRS codes, etc and can't find any cite that speaks to this. Could someone please give me a cite that might allow for this. I really have to see it for myself

[erchess]

Observations

1. "Performance clothing" is not tax terminology but we all know what is meant by it. The tax jargon equivalents might be "work clothing" and "grooming".

2. I can well believe that an on air personality would have special grooming requirements such as zero facial hair and special makeup that would not apply if they were not on air personalities. In the case of the makeup it would be necessary that before going out in public the person removes the work related makeup and either does without or puts on "personal" makeup. If they wanted to try to claim expenses for the care of hair or nails I would need a written explanation of how they alter the appearance of these things before going out on the street, For example if they wear a wig on or off I would deduct the expenses of the one that they wear on air. I'd have no problem claiming such expenses but I would warn in writing that they might be lost on audit and I would disclose.

3. Safety shoes and other safety equipment I would deduct as much as the person said they had the receipts for. I don't think my seeing those receipts is necessary although I often do.

4. As a former construction worker I can attest to the fact that people who work in concrete every day go through clothes fast. That does not however create a tax deduction and the rules for deductible clothing are well known to members of this board.

[Possi]

The preparer taking these deductions...

The tax preparer who took all these flagrant deductions is a "preacher!"

STOP THE MADNESS!

... is running a "hot house" kind of business. Claims to be a preacher of some kind, but also runs this tax business where everyone is crowded in one office doing multiple returns. He has foreign people working for him (not speaking and understanding English very well) and taking deductions that HE tells them to take (out loud).

These clients for some reason, kept going to him until she started her home based business. I am popular in the circle of this home based business, so was recommended to them. They are glad to be in my office and seeing the light.

I just wish I could blow the whistle on him, without flagging my own client's tax returns. It's not a revenge thing, but it is a "fair, right" thing. He is doing such a disjustice.