The Myth: If You Only Wear It to Work, It’s Deductible
Lots of people think: “I bought these suits for the office—I never wear them anywhere else. That’s a tax write-off, right?”
Sorry to burst your bubble, but the IRS doesn’t agree.
The Reality: IRS Rules on Clothing Expenses
The IRS says clothing is deductible only if it’s:
- Required as a condition of employment, and
- Not suitable for everyday wear.
So, your business-casual wardrobe? Not deductible. Even if you’d never wear it outside of work, the IRS says you could—and that’s enough to disqualify it.
What Does Qualify as a Clothing Deduction
Some clothing and cleaning costs do count:
- Uniforms (police, firefighter, military, etc.)
- Safety gear (steel-toed boots, hard hats, protective goggles)
- Specialized attire (medical scrubs, theatrical costumes)
Laundry and dry cleaning for those items can be deductible, too.
Always track your clothing expenses in our free Expense Tracker.
Quick Example
Jordan buys three suits for his accounting job—$1,200 total. Not deductible.
Ava buys medical scrubs for her nursing shifts and pays $200 in laundry costs. Those expenses may qualify as a deduction.
Bottom Line
Your office wardrobe won’t score you a tax break. But required uniforms, protective gear, or job-specific costumes? That’s where deductions are possible.
General information only—confirm with current IRS guidance or a tax professional.
👉 Not sure what qualifies for your job? Ask a quick question—we’ll point you right.
Or save time: Book your tax prep in 2 minutes.
