Tax Breaks, Did You Deduct Dog Supplies or Hair Cuts?

The dreaded tax time, I wade through mounds of paperwork to validate my deductions of being an author. I deduct items such as paper, ink for my printer, internet, and postage. Some creative people attempt to deduct items I would never think of. Check out some of the deductions people tried to sneak by the IRS last year.

Deduction: Lingerie
Denied: Prostitution is illegal in New York and you cannot claim deductions for anything illegal.


Deduction: Cost of a wedding.

Denied: Duh…


Deduction: Haircut

Denied: Yes, State Trooper’s must have a short haircut, but they must also have good hygiene and soap isn’t deductible either.


Deduction: Sperm Donation

Denied: What was this guy thinking?


Deduction: Dog Supplies

Denied: Your pets do not qualify for your home security.


Deduction: Breast Implants

Allowed: The dancer’s income (which she pays taxes on) significantly increased after the implants thus a legitimate business expense.

So, is it creative bookkeeping or an attempt at cheating on your taxes? If you’ve heard any other unusual deductions, shout them out. Fellow writer’s, I would loved to hear tips on items you deduct.


In Action Thriller, Bolt Action from Champagne Books, Detective Leslie Bolt uses sarcasm instead of beating the crap out of stupid people. She is a smart talking, gun hording, Harley riding investigator forced to work a serial murder case with her sexy ex-lover. After a childhood of abuse suffered at the hand of her father, Leslie sleeps with a Ruger Blackhawk .357 under her pillow, has a Browning A-Bolt Stainless Stalker rifle in her broom closet, and a Saturday Night Special stashed in her road-hog cookie jar. The body count mounts and Detective Bolt must conquer her own past, as she races to capture “The State Quarter Killer” before her sister is the next victim.