Can I claim breast augmentation on my taxes?
Yes, you can. Breast augmentation is considered a reconstructive surgery according to the IRS, so you can deduct it from your taxes as a medical expense. In order to be eligible for this deduction, though, your surgery must be performed by a licensed physician and you must have received a prescription for the procedure from that physician.
In addition to the deduction, breast augmentation may also qualify as a business expense if your surgery was performed in order to assist you in performing your job. If this is the case, then you may also be able to receive an income tax credit equal to 50% of what you paid for the procedure (up to $2,500).
If you had plastic surgery performed at another time and were not on any kind of prescription medication during that time (and thus were not eligible for any kind of deduction), then you may still be able to deduct part of the cost if it was done by a licensed doctor and was medically necessary (such as an injury repair).
Is a Tummy Tuck Tax Deductible
KEY POINTS
- Normally you can’t take a tax break for your pet but, under select circumstances, you might be able to.
- The IRS once allowed an exotic dancer to deduct the cost of breast implants.
- Is your pet a social media influencer? You just might be considered a small business.
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You probably know by now that charitable deductions are tax-deductible. But how about the cost of caring for your pet? Or your kid’s clarinet lessons?
In select cases, the IRS has permitted taxpayers to deduct off-beat expenses on their tax returns.
Here’s the key: Those costs must meet certain conditions; they can’t just be personal expenses.
Personal Appearance Tax Deduction
Cosmetic surgery
Claiming the cost of cosmetic surgery as a tax deduction is almost always a no-go, but it has been done in extremely specific circumstances.
For example, an exotic dancer was able to claim the cost of breast augmentation on the grounds that her surgery was a requirement for employment (the surgery made her more successful in her profession) and that the surgery was unsuitable for day-to-day use (the augmentation was such that she was going to have her breasts reduced once her stage career was over).
The same line of thinking would apply to botox too. Generally, it would not be tax-deductible (unless you could prove it was for work and didn’t also help your personal life, which is unlikely).
How Bench can help
Surprised at the kinds of expenses that are tax-deductible? Personal appearance expenses are just one of many unexpected deductible costs that can reduce your tax bill. But with messy or incomplete financials, you can miss these tax saving expenses and end up with a bigger bill than necessary.
Enter Bench, America’s largest bookkeeping service. With a Bench subscription, your team of bookkeepers imports every transaction from your bank, credit cards, and merchant processors, accurately categorizing each and reviewing for hidden tax deductions. We provide you with complete and up-to-date bookkeeping, guaranteeing that you won’t miss a single opportunity to save.
Want to talk taxes with a professional? With a premium subscription, you get access to unlimited, on-demand consultations with our in-house tax professionals. They can help you identify deductions, find unexpected opportunities for savings, and ensure you’re paying the smallest possible tax bill. Learn more.
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Body enhancement
The IRS doesn’t allow anyone to deduct the cost of simply staying healthy, but they will allow certain professionals to deduct expenses related to their personal appearance.
For instance, bodybuilders can deduct the cost of body oils and other products that they use to improve the appearance of their skin. Professional athletes can deduct the cost of sports coaching or training for events and competitions. However, athletes generally can’t deduct the cost of dietary or nutritional supplements because the benefits are personal as well as professional.
Makeup
The rules surrounding makeup as a tax deduction are strict. Similar to the clothing deduction, you can write off makeup used for stage or photo shoots, but not if you wear the same makeup outside of work. Any makeup purchases that are for photoshoots or shows should be purchased from professional suppliers (rather than the drugstore) if you plan to claim the cost.
Hair care and haircuts
Similar to makeup costs, hair care expenses only qualify as a tax deduction when they are specifically for work-related photoshoots or shows.
If you order your products from a professional supplier and only use them for performances or shoots, then you can claim the deduction. However, a haircut wouldn’t be deductible because you’ll take the new ‘do with you outside of work.
Salon expenses
By now, you get the idea. Salon expenses can only be deducted if it’s strictly for work. Unfortunately, you can’t get a mani-pedi and claim it’s to help you do better at the office.
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