Can I deduct taxes for my work clothes?
September 15, 2022 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Anneliese Schaaf
Dear tax advisor,
my name is Alice Schneider and I have been working as a craftsman in a small craft business for many years. In my profession, I wear special work clothing every day, such as work boots, work pants and work jackets, in order to be able to carry out my work safely and efficiently. This work clothing is necessary to properly perform my professional tasks and protect myself from injuries.
In the past, I have heard that the costs for work clothing can be deducted from taxes. However, I am not sure if and to what extent this is possible for me as a craftsman. I am worried that I may be missing out on tax benefits by not claiming the costs for my work clothing.
Therefore, I would like to know from you if and under what conditions I can deduct the costs for my work clothing from taxes. Are there specific criteria that I must meet to claim these costs for tax purposes? What documents do I need to provide and how much is the potential tax benefit that I can achieve by doing so?
I thank you in advance for your support and look forward to your expert advice.
Sincerely,
Alice Schneider
Dear Mrs. Schneider,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the tax deductibility of work clothing as a craftsman. I am pleased that you are actively engaging with the topic of tax benefits and I will gladly assist you further.
In general, the costs for work clothing can be deducted as business expenses from taxes, as long as they are used for work purposes and not worn privately. As a craftsman who wears special work clothing such as work boots, work pants, and work jackets on a daily basis, you definitely meet the requirement that the work clothing is necessary to properly perform your professional tasks and protect you from injuries.
To claim the costs for your work clothing on your taxes, it is important that you keep the corresponding receipts. This includes, for example, purchase receipts of the work clothing issued in your name. Furthermore, you should ensure that the work clothing is actually used exclusively for business purposes and not also worn privately. It is advisable to document a clear separation between private and business use of the work clothing.
The potential tax benefit you can achieve by deducting the costs for your work clothing depends on your individual income and tax rate. In general, you can declare the costs for the work clothing in your tax return as business expenses and thereby reduce your tax burden. Depending on the amount of costs and your tax rate, this can have a positive impact on your tax liability.
I hope that I could help you with this information. If you have any further questions or need assistance with filing your tax return, please feel free to contact me. Do not hesitate to reach out.
Best regards,
Anneliese Schaaf
