Are the specialty shoes, clothing etc. used only for work deductible?
Answer I’ll answer your questions in order: 1) Yes, on the schedule C, it would go under either “taxes and licenses” or “other expenses”. 2) Probably not, and your life will be easier if you don’t try. The IRS more closely scrutinizes returns with a schedule C, and they tend to disallow clothing deductions unless it’s VERY specialized clothing. As a fitness instructor, your clothing is specialized, but not so specialized that you’d have to go to, say, a special uniform vendor. 3) The mileage question is the most difficult. There are so many gray areas and disputed points in this area of the tax code. I’ll tell you what I’d do, but if you’re feeling a little more adventurous (and could afford it should they disallow the deductions at some point in the future), then you could try deducting all of the mileage. If it were me, I’d deduct any business mileage *except* for my first trip to the first health club and my last trip home. The reason is, while mileage is generally allowed for the s
