Another quick question. So we did our taxes and have been buying blue jeans, denim jeans for welding in. Last a long time and don't melt like plastic pants. So we ask our tax person yesterday about clothes. She asks if they are uniforms, I tell her I have my own business so my uniforms are jeans cause I can't afford plastic uniform pants to burn up and melt daily. She says we can't take jeans off or claim them as "work clothes" cause I can where them elsewhere. Suppose I'll put on my best work jeans and go out to some posh upscale joint for dinner.....yeah, ok.
She continues and tells me they have to be uniform type and I tell her I don't know a welder who wheres "uniform type" plastic pants and 100% cotton is the only choice. So I told her my work shirts are also 100% cotton but not "uniform type" and she says I can't take them off either, but because they are sold as "welders shirts" I may be able to slide them by. Does this sound right? We've been using one of the chain accounting joints for years and wondering if I need to just find an accountant that deals with welders/contruction trades next year.
I dont use a large chain tax company but a small hometown one that a lot of other rig welders froma round here use and I was able to write my work cloths off no matter what they were. They didnt care if they were Cinch jeans or Rustler. I would say you should find a different tax person.
I bought my house 10 years ago. The first year that I had it that I had to do taxes, I went to a chain here in town. Come to find out after the fact, the woman that did them had just retired as a teacher. She taught biology or something totally unrelated. That was the last time that happened. Now I use turbo tax and do them myself. You can claim your jeans as work clothes too. I'd tell them to take a hike.
i would agree with okwelder. Find a different account. I pay my account 750.00 just for my taxes and it's worth it big time. If you are self employed you should incorportate it will save you big time on taxes...
I am not going to be popular with this one, but, your accountant is correct. If the article has a "dual purpose", you are not going to write it off legally.
I personally agree with your points about the jeans and shirts, but the IRS does not .
Griff
So could you have your wife sew something like "Cummins Welding" on the backside and they instantly become a uniform?
Bob G.
If it is considered dual purpose you cant claim it but what if you jeans and button up shirts are just your work clothes? Seems like a lot of gray area there.
Actually, having names and logos sewn on by a "uniform service" sometimes can be considered. My understanding is the IRS doesn' like the "home-done" work.
Griff
Not Only are your Jeans and shirts deductible but so is your cleaning bill to keep them starched !
I'm with Cactus on this one, my jeans, shirts, and caps are deductible along with cleaning....You may get one or two nights out on the town with new shirts and jeans, but at the end of the year after chasen' rigs, or on your back in the mud, or just throwing iron around, they are work clothes... if irs comes knocking at your door pull out all those clothes and show them.....and say 'would you go out in these other than work? ( i keep them around for about 4 years ) alot of gray area as okwelder82 says....
Find a new tax person!!! IRS has bigger fish to fry then a welder trying to claim his uniform. When it all comes down to it, you really honestly can say that it is your uniform because it is. Don't forget your bibs and all those new tools you have to replace every year as well. ;-) Every April, it's time for Uncle Sam to play catcher instead of us. lol
Well I guess the IRS dont have anything better to do then to mess with me. I am getting audited, due to my expenses. I claimed a total of $3000 for tools, clothes, vehicle repairs, traveling expenses, and now they want to audit me. What a bunch of *&^%. Unfortunatly for me I dont have all my reciepts, which I'm not sure how bad that really is. The worst thing is I paid $36k in income tax last year, so what more do they want from me???
WOW, sorry to hear that man. You should go buy a lottery ticket!! lol
I have been there in front of the IRS and not a big fish. If you have not noticed the big fish get away unless they are appointed to a Cabinet Post by Obama.
hey i claimed my jeans and my wifes jeans as well i even claimed her boots,lol... I made a post about a spread sheet formula i made if you want some info on it get a hold of me on here.
Griff is correct in the "intent" of the IRS to limit outrageous deductions for clothing.
I think my accountant relayed it along these lines: Work clothes and uniforms are deductible if they are required for your job and not suitable to wear outside the workplace. Protective gear such as hard hats and steel-toed boots qualify if necessary for your job. However, he reminded me that the definition of a uniform would be a distinctive outfit intended to identify those who wear it as members of a specific group. He also reminded me that written policies and written records must be used.
So first, I have a written company policy that employees uniforms will be provided by the company and it states that uniforms will consist of (6) pairs of black denim pants, (6) long sleeved and (6) short sleeved khaki or navy work shirts, (1) pair leather shoes or boots, winter coveralls, jackets and rain-wear. Safety apparel such as hard hats, steel toed boots, safety belts, gloves, safety glasses, ear plugs as well as fire retardant apparel (when required) will be provided. Any items will be replaced when they become worn, torn, or otherwise unsightly.
Secondly, every time I make this kind of a purchase for work clothes, I request a written receipt that says "uniforms", and I use that terminology in my book keeping software too.
Thirdly, I do save receipts for regular clothing purchases I pay out of my own pocket (I do the same for a few gasoline purchases) to prove that I have other clothes that are worn outside the workplace.
~thirdeye~
there are uniform comapnies that carry denim and cotton clothes i use to get my jeans thru my mom where she works and they were wranglers and the wrangler long sleeve cotton shirts so that maybe be something you can look into i dont go to the big name out fits for my txes i use turbo tax on the net and do them myself. but i did find an accontant to do mystuff for me for 100 i had to get 2006 taxes doen before IRS would send me my refund for this year and now they owe me for 2006 too
Forum
