Tax Deductions for a Dressmaker

Dressmakers utilize various pieces of equipment for their work.

Dressmakers help women look their best by designing custom dresses, gowns, blouses, and other pieces of women's apparel. It is a specialized field in fashion and design. Becoming a successful dressmaker requires a unique set of skills, as well as certain materials used in creating the pieces of clothing they sell to the public or to private clients.

Equipment & Materials

Dressmakers require various pieces of equipment in order to successfully practice their craft. These may include sewing machines, needles, thread, cloth, scissors, pins, tape measures, tailor's chalk, computers and computer software. Any material and equipment required for a dressmaker to properly practice her vocation is a legitimate tax deduction and should be written off in order to save as much as possible on end-of-year taxes.

Mileage

Business mileage is another tax write-off available to dressmakers. While the daily drive to the office is considered commuting and is not deductible as business mileage, plenty of travel can be written off. This includes driving to meet clients; driving out of town for conferences, meetings or other business affairs; and driving to pick up necessary materials. Keep a notebook in your car so you can log your mileage. Include where you were going, the purpose of the trip and the total round-trip mileage.

Professional Expenditures

Dressmakers may find themselves with additional professional expenditures. These are legitimate tax deductions when they are either required by an employer or can be shown to help a dressmaker improve her skills or increase business. Some professional expenditures to consider include union or organization dues, subscriptions to magazine and other publication aimed at professionals in the industry, and conference fees. Travel to conferences, whether by auto or plane, are also deductible.

Continuing Education

A dressmaker may find herself wishing to further her education. Classes and workshops are tax-deductible as long as they are designed to help dressmakers improve their skills and business practices. Education aimed at improving nondressmaking skills, or classes taken to help a dressmaker enter another professional career path, are not deductible.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; Occupational Employment and Wages -- Tailors, Dressmakers and Custom Sewers Wages; May 2010
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition -- Textile, Apparel and Furnishings Occupations
• WAHM.com; Five Tips for Starting a Dressmaking Business; Sarah Baker