Clothes, beauty products, and on-camera styling feel like part of the job when you are an influencer. You might buy outfits for shoots, pick makeup based on what your audience expects, or choose specific looks that fit your brand. It is natural to wonder whether these purchases count as business expenses. After all, you are buying them to create content, not just for fun.
The tricky part is that the IRS sees things differently. Clothing and grooming are some of the most misunderstood deductions in the creator world, and they are also some of the most closely examined. The rules are not designed if it’s possible for an influencer write off clothes and makeup so that the lines can feel blurred.
The good news is that there are some situations where clothes and makeup can be deducted. The not-so-good news is that most everyday items do not qualify. This guide walks you through what you can safely deduct, what you should avoid claiming, and how to think about these expenses with confidence.
Why This Deduction Is So Confusing
Influencers often assume that if they bought something “for content,” then it should count as a business expense. But with clothing and beauty products, the IRS always asks a deeper question. Would you ever wear this or use this outside of your work? If the answer is yes, it is considered personal, not business.
This is why the category is more complicated than cameras, lighting or editing software. Those are clearly tools. Clothing and makeup, on the other hand, easily blend into everyday life. Even if you bought a dress intending to wear it only for a shoot, the IRS sees it as something that could be worn socially. The same goes for regular foundation, lipstick or a haircut before filming.
Because of that, claiming these expenses requires much more care, much stronger documentation and a realistic look at whether the item truly has zero personal use.
When Clothing Or Makeup May Actually Be Deductible
There are situations where creators can take these deductions, but they tend to be more specific than people expect. The IRS allows write-offs when the item is used exclusively for business and would never be used personally. That means the item needs to be truly unique to your content or required for a specific type of filming.
For some creators, this could include a cosplay costume that only appears in your videos, a wig used for a recurring character, special-effects makeup, or a branded wardrobe that functions more like a prop than an outfit. These items are clearly not something you would use in your daily life, which makes the business purpose easier to prove.
Another example is when a brand requires a specific look or uniform for a campaign. If the item is not something you would ever wear on your own, and if you can show that the purchase was required for work, it becomes more defensible as a business expense.
These situations are the exception rather than the rule, but when they apply, the deduction can be legitimate.
What The IRS Considers Personal
Most clothing, makeup, and grooming costs fall into the personal category, even for full-time influencers. The IRS takes a very conservative stance here, so it is helpful to think about this in plain terms. If you could use it outside of content, it is probably not deductible.
Everyday outfits, styling for events, regular makeup, hair appointments, manicures, skincare products and clothes chosen for a certain aesthetic usually do not qualify. Even if you only wore the outfit for a shoot, the fact that it could be worn elsewhere makes it a personal expense in the eyes of the IRS.
This rule also applies to creators living abroad. Being based in Bali or Lisbon does not change how the IRS views clothing and grooming purchases. If the item has any potential for personal use, it is not a business deduction.
The Documentation You Need If You Deduct These Items
Since the IRS audits this category so frequently, documentation becomes everything. If the deduction is challenged later, you will need to prove exactly what the item was used for, when you used it and why it had no personal purpose.
That usually means keeping receipts, screenshots, photos of the item being used in your content, and notes tying the purchase to a specific video or campaign. If the item was required by a brand, save the emails or the brief. The more clarity you create, the stronger your position becomes.
Without documentation, the IRS will remove the deduction and may add penalties. This is why most creators choose to deduct these items only when the business purpose is crystal clear.
If You Live Abroad, The Rules Are The Same
Many digital nomads assume that living outside the United States changes the rules, but it does not. Clothing and makeup deductions follow the same guidelines whether you are filming in Thailand, Portugal or Bali. What matters is that the item supports your U.S. business and that you can prove it has no personal use.
You can still deduct eligible items even if they were purchased in another country, as long as you keep the receipt, convert the amount to U.S. dollars and document how the item was used for your business. Beyond that, international creators also need to think about foreign tax credits and local tax rules, especially if they move between countries. This is where having an accountant who works with digital nomads becomes especially helpful.
Work With Accountants Who Understand Influencers
Navigating these rules can feel frustrating, especially when your work and personal life often overlap. But staying on the safe side protects you in the long run and keeps your business compliant as you grow. When you work with an accountant who understands creators, international income, and digital nomad tax rules, it becomes much easier to figure out what you can claim without risking penalties.
BizBud helps influencers and digital nomads every day, from understanding their deductions to structuring their businesses in a way that works across borders. If you want clarity around what you can safely write off or you want support building a tax plan that fits your lifestyle, our team would be happy to help.
Book a call and let us guide you through the parts of the tax world that creators should not navigate alone.
