It’s tax season! And you know what that means: scrambling to gather all your receipts, add up your expenses, and try to figure out how to swindle Uncle Sam (within legal parameters, of course).
Some taxpayers (or should we say “tax avoiders”) go to great lengths to get their balance due to the IRS as low as possible. If there’s even the slightest chance they can deduct something, they will. That, or they’ll come up with a convoluted (but still convincing) argument as to why they deserve the deduction.
We say if you’re creative enough to invent reasons why your toupee/pet snake/motorized bike is essential to your money-making abilities, then you probably deserve some monetary reward from the government.
That’s why, in honor of Tax Day on April 15, we’ve rounded up the weirdest tax deductions people might try to get away with (and some of them have!). Scroll on, get inspired, and see if you can think up a few more deductions for your own tax return this year. If the IRS still rejects your plea, you can always take Uncle Sam to tax court. You’d be surprised how many people have won the most ridiculous judgments.
Cover Photo: Witthaya Prasongsin (Getty Images)
tax deductions
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Beer
A gas station owner from Oklahoma successfully deducted beer used in a promotion for his business.
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Breast Implants
Give your customers what they want: bigger boobs!
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Body Oil
If you're a bodybuilder or a masseuse, this is a totally legitimate business expense.
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Hair Dye
If a full head of hair is part of your brand, you may be in luck!
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Drunk Driving Expenses
Once upon a time, after one too many wobbly pops, a man drove his car off the road. Through some accounting wizardry, he was able to write the auto damage off when insurance refused to cover it.
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Pet Food
If you have a guard dog or a pest-control cat, you just might be able to get away with free food for your four-legged friends.
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Swimming Pool
Do your doctor's orders include getting more exercise? Then why not do it in your own private swimming pool?
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Whaling Ship
But only if you're a whaling captain, duh.
