Work uniforms are necessary for certain professions, like manufacturing, road repair, auto repair, and many, many others. Businesses must do what they can to be financially smart in good and bad times alike, which is where deductible business expenses come in. Are work uniforms tax deductible?
Types of Tax Deductible Work Uniforms
Work uniforms are tax deductible if the employee must wear the apparel in order to be paid and if the apparel is unsuitable for everyday wear. For example, an employee in a factory might need personal protection equipment (PPE) like hard hats and flame-resistant clothing. It is necessary for job safety but not something you would wear to the grocery store or to your friend’s dinner party. Other distinctive work uniforms with business logos that employees must wear on the job also count as tax deductible.
What about promotional wear? It could be a T-shirt or polo shirt that your team wears to a ball game or corporate lunch. It could be casual apparel with the business logo given to employees as a holiday gift. You could wear this kind of apparel outside of work, but in this case, it can count as an advertising expense. Promo apparel is a very effective passive marketing tool, after all!
Renting vs. Buying
Does it matter whether your company bought the uniforms or rents them? Thankfully, no. You can get a tax deduction either way.
Who Can Get Tax Deductions for Work Uniforms?
If you are the sole proprietor and business owner, you can receive tax deductions for the work uniforms.
Is Commercial Uniform Laundering Tax Deductible?
Commercial uniform laundering and all work uniform repair and replacement services are also tax deductible. You don’t have to pay tax on these necessary business expenses. Of course, the services must be reasonable, such as using the appropriate laundering method for the given work uniform, like dry cleaning vs. commercial laundry machine washing.
The Right Work Uniform Services Will Help You Save
Although work uniform purchases and rentals are expenses, they will help your business thrive and grow if you invest in the right uniforms with the right company. If you are in the Baltimore area, Lord Baltimore Uniform Rental is happy to listen to your work uniform needs.
Trust Your Employee Uniforms to the Professionals at Lord Baltimore
For over forty years, Lord Baltimore has provided cost-effective uniform rental services throughout the East Coast, including Maryland, Washington DC, Northern Virginia, Southern Pennsylvania, and Delaware.
To learn more about how employee uniforms can help your business, please contact Joe Bateman at Lord Baltimore by calling 800-292-1224 or visit LordBaltimoreUniform.com. We also handle uniform and mat rentals and purchases for restaurants. Additionally, we also sell and rent uniforms, shop towels, fender covers, and mats for the manufacturing and automotive industries.