Are work uniforms a tax deductible item? For certain
workplaces, the expected
work
uniform
is a suit and tie. For others, it is a uniform representing the
company they work for. And then there are the times in which the “work uniform”
is made up of clothes from the store they come from. If you are an employee,
consult your employer’s dress code policy. If you are an employer, you should
outline this point in your policy as well.
Office workers can’t claim the cost of buying or cleaning
the clothes they need to wear to work. However, this caveat generally applies to
clothes that aren’t specific to a particular career. Black pants, white shirts,
and suits worn by bartenders count under this caveat. If you work for a retail
clothing store, you can’t claim the clothes you have to buy there, even if you
must wear them to work.
Jeans, shirts, socks, and shoes
are all items that can’t be claimed either. In order to be claimable, these
items need to be proven that they provide adequate protection for what you do.
If there is a strict dress code policy demanding the use of
work uniforms, then these items are claimable. If shoes, socks, and stockings
are required parts of this uniform, then they can all be claimed as well. When
it comes to a non-required dress code, however, special circumstances apply. If
an article of clothing is considered unique enough to be especially
identifiable as belonging to your organization, then it can be claimed.
However, these clothes must bear the logo of the company and can’t be widely
available for general sale.
Dry cleaning and other maintenance procedures
are claimable tax deductions. If your work uniforms need to be washed,
dried, ironed, or dry-cleaned, then this scenario is possible. Make sure you
keep written documentation of your personal expenses. If you claim more than
$150 for cleaning clothes or work uniforms, then that means they are claimable
items. Likewise, your claim for work-related expenses in total must be over
$300. But when you calculate work-related expenses, keep in mind that travel
costs related to work are not claimable.
Chesapeake
Uniform
has been providing uniform rental services for over 30 years
to the following areas:
· Maryland
· Delaware
· Washington DC
· Southern Pennsylvania
· Northern Virginia
We pride ourselves on being able to offer our customers the most competitive
prices thanks to our national affiliation with
ApparelMaster®.
Want to get started with our services? Do you have questions about our
services? Contact us today by calling 410-558-3360 or visit the
contact us page.
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