Are haircuts tax deductible? (Trump) (Businesses)

[Patrick J.]

Are haircuts tax deductible for certain businesses? Also, how would Trump carry back real estate losses after the 08 crash? Wouldn't the real estate carry back losses have to offset other capital gains but not ordinary income he made

[Michael Plaks]

Originally posted by @Account Closed:

Yes, this is what I basically hinted at in my ramblings. I attached the word "flimsy" to it. The counter-attack from the IRS is likely to point out that such expenses are inherently of personal rather than business nature because everybody needs a haircut anyway. Maybe one could argue that he should be allowed to deduct the cost of special haircuts for the TV show over and above the cost of "regular" haircut. Maybe. If I had clients in such situation, I would do some legal research to find out if there were any precedents. Maybe there were, it's not really my area.

I remember one court case where symphony musicians were not allowed to deduct the cost of their performance tuxedos, under the theory that those clothes were suitable for non-business wear. (The fact that symphony musicians cannot afford the lifestyle where tuxedoes are worn was not considered.) Seems to me that haircuts are similar.

As to that other thing you mentioned - did you really have to? :)