Expenses for Dancers
Beyond the age old question of “Do Strippers Pay Taxes”, a solid 75% of the questions we’re asked on Instagram or during our 30-minute intro consultations start with expenses.
There are a lot of myths surrounding expenses, especially when it comes to exotic dancing and other industries that aren’t as openly discussed as others. Hopefully we can clear some things up for you today!
"Necessary and Ordinary": The Golden Rule
The golden, overarching rule about expenses is that they must be “necessary and ordinary” – that means it has to be something that’s helpful and appropriate for your business, and that is commonly accepted in your industry.
A great example is pleasers (the high-heeled shoes that dancers wear to the club). Pleasers are necessary for dancers to own because dancing without shoes is illegal in most states, and they function as a sort of uniform for performing the job. They are ordinary in that they are accepted as an expense in this industry, even though pleasers would not be a valid expense if you were, for example, an independent dog groomer.
Pleasers are considered necessary as a sort of uniform for performing the job.
Partial Write-Offs?
Some things — like your phone bill — can be partially written-off, as you use a portion of the service for work and a portion for your personal needs. This doesn’t apply to personal appearance deductions.
Even though routine hair cuts help you look your best, you benefit from them outside of a work context, because you can’t simply take your hair off when you go home. But this is also why wigs are a valid expense, as long as they’re solely part of your work costume.
Can I Write Off Plastic Surgery?
Some adult industry workers have successfully argued that their plastic surgery was a necessary and ordinary expense. For this to work, they had to retain a tax lawyer, and be prepared to argue their case.
In one specific instance, the performer planned to have an explant when her stage career was done, proving that the surgery was solely for her work. But for many people, their cosmetic surgery is a life-long commitment, and it has an effect on their lives outside of work.
To put it plainly: It’s not a great idea to try to pass surgery that you want for personal reasons off as a business expense.
Luxury Expenses
Another great guideline to follow is to make sure that your expenses aren’t considered extravagant.
For example, if you’re traveling to another city to dance and you decide to rent a car, technically, you should be renting and claiming the most economical choice that will serve your business needs. The same goes for meals when you’re traveling!
It's red flags if you’re constantly splashing out on Michelin-star restaurants and trying to write them off.
Need help?
If you’d like to learn more about business expenses for strippers and other sex-workers, check out The Sex Worker’s Guide to Taxes!
Get yours here.