Answering a Reader Question #658

Isabel Wrote:

 hi, I was told by my booking agent that gym memberships, tanning and hair extension (which were recommended by her) were write offs?

Hey, Isabel!

Normally I wouldn't recommend counting these as tax write offs because you have to be able to justify that these expenses are solely used for modeling purposes. Everyone--not just models--go to the gym, visit tanning salons and buy hair extensions.

However, in your situation you might be able fine with writing it off because it was your booking agent who recommended that you participate in these activities in the first place as they relate to modeling as your profession. But keep in mind that should you ever get audited by the IRS, you will have to be able to "prove" that you only got the gym membership, tanning and hair extensions solely for modeling and that the only time you use those services/products is when preparing for a modeling casting or job.

This means keeping diligent receipts as well as being able to call on your booking agent to testify on your behalf that you incurred these expenses on her recommendation (the latter would only apply if you got audited by the IRS--you should keep all receipts related to modeling no matter what).

The odds of getting audited are pretty slim so chances are you can include these expenses as write offs and be totally fine but it is a good idea to ask your tax preparer for his/her professional opinion on the matter. If they say it's okay, then you'll be fine but if they caution you against including it as a write off, then you should follow what their advice since they are the experts on this subject more than your booking agent.

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