Can models write off dental veneers as a business expense on taxes?

This is actually an interesting tax question about business deductions. The IRS allows you to deduct ordinary and necessary expenses for conducting your trade or business. For models and performers, certain appearance-related expenses can sometimes qualify, but there are specific requirements. For your veneers to be deductible, you'd need to show they're: 1) ordinary and necessary for your specific profession, 2) not suitable for general personal use, and 3) required as a condition of employment or directly related to your business. The challenge is that dental work, even for models, can be viewed as primarily personal in nature since the veneers have a significant personal benefit (you keep the smile improvement 24/7, not just during work). This is different from, say, theatrical makeup that's only worn during performances. I'd recommend documenting how this was specifically for your professional image - maybe emails from your agent, before/after booking rates, etc. This strengthens your case if questioned.

I went through something similar with my taxes last year! I'm not a model but I'm in real estate sales where my face is on everything. I was going to write off my cosmetic procedure but instead I found this AI tax assistant at https://taxr.ai that analyzed all my expenses and told me what was deductible. They actually warned me that appearance-related expenses are major audit flags unless you can really prove they're exclusively for business. They ended up finding like $4,300 in other deductions I had completely missed instead! The software analyzed all my receipts and bank statements and found business expenses I didn't even think about tracking.

Just wanted to update that I tried the taxr.ai service after my skepticism and wow - I'm eating my words! They found over $6,200 in deductions for my photography business that I would have missed. They knew exactly which equipment depreciation schedules to use and even helped me properly deduct my home studio space which I've always been afraid to claim. For the OP's question about veneers - they actually addressed this exact situation for me because I had dental work done for client-facing meetings. They showed me how to properly document it with before/after booking rates to demonstrate business necessity. Definitely more helpful than my previous CPA who just told me "no" without exploring options.

After seeing this thread I wanted to share something that helped me with my similar tax situation. I spent WEEKS trying to get through to the IRS to ask about my entertainment industry deductions (I'm an actor) and it was impossible. Then I found https://claimyr.com which got me connected to an actual IRS agent in about 20 minutes! Check out how it works: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c The agent was surprisingly helpful and walked me through exactly what documentation I would need to deduct appearance-related expenses in my profession. For things like veneers, they said it comes down to how well you can document that it directly impacted your income and was a requirement of your specific profession. They even sent me the specific IRS publications to reference.

Completely changing my tune here. After my skeptical comment, I tried Claimyr out of desperation because I was getting nowhere with the IRS about my business audit situation. Within 15 minutes I was talking to an actual IRS agent who helped me understand exactly what documentation I needed to provide. What would have been weeks of stress was resolved in a single phone call. The agent even helped me set up a payment plan for the amount I did legitimately owe. I'm usually the first to call out services that seem too good to be true, but this one actually delivered exactly what it promised.

I'm a tax preparer and I've had several clients in the entertainment industry try to deduct appearance-related expenses. Here's the reality: most cosmetic procedures are extremely difficult to deduct, even for models and actors. The IRS considers these primarily personal because: 1. The benefit continues 24/7, not just during work hours 2. They have significant personal value beyond work 3. They're generally considered personal grooming That said, there are exceptions. I've successfully defended deductions for specialized stage makeup, certain hairstyling specifically for performances, and custom prosthetics used only during filming. For veneers specifically, you're facing an uphill battle, but not impossible. You'll need to document: - Before/after booking rates showing significant income increase - Written recommendations from your agency or clients - Any industry standards or requirements - Portion of time the veneers are used specifically for professional purposes

Has anyone used TurboTax to deduct something like this? Their self-employed version claims to handle unusual business deductions but I'm not sure if it's sophisticated enough for something like cosmetic dental work.

I'm a CPA who specializes in creative professionals, and I've seen this exact situation come up multiple times. The key issue with veneers is that the IRS will likely view them as having significant personal benefit since you keep that improved smile for life, not just during work. However, you do have some strong factors working in your favor: your agent's specific recommendation, the documented increase in bookings, and the fact that your appearance is directly tied to your income as a model. My advice would be to take a conservative approach - perhaps deduct only a portion of the cost that can be directly attributed to the business benefit. For example, if you can show that 40% of your income comes from modeling and the veneers were specifically for that work, you might consider deducting 40% of the cost. Make sure to keep all documentation: the agent's emails, before/after booking records, income statements showing the increase, and any other evidence that this was primarily a business decision rather than personal cosmetic improvement. If audited, you'll need to prove business necessity and that the expense was ordinary for your profession. Consider consulting with a tax professional who has experience with entertainment industry deductions before filing. This is definitely a gray area that benefits from expert guidance.

As someone who works in the entertainment industry (background acting and some commercial work), I've dealt with similar questions about appearance-related deductions. One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet is the "but for" test - would you have gotten the veneers "but for" your modeling work? Since your agent specifically recommended this and you have documentation showing increased bookings, that's a strong argument for business necessity. I'd also suggest keeping track of any maintenance costs for the veneers that are specifically related to your modeling work - like touch-ups before big shoots or cleaning appointments timed around bookings. These ongoing costs might be easier to defend as pure business expenses. Another angle to consider: some models I know have had success writing off a percentage based on the proportion of their income from modeling versus other sources. So if 60% of your income comes from modeling, you might be able to justify deducting 60% of the veneers cost. The documentation you have sounds solid - agent emails and booking rate increases are exactly what you'd need if questioned. Just make sure you have clear records of your income before and after the procedure to quantify that business impact.

I work as a tax advisor and have dealt with several cases involving appearance-related deductions for models and actors. While this is definitely a gray area, you actually have some strong documentation that could support your case. The key factors working in your favor are: 1) Your agent's specific recommendation (this is crucial evidence), 2) The measurable increase in bookings after the procedure, and 3) The direct connection between your appearance and income in modeling. However, be prepared for potential IRS scrutiny. Cosmetic dental work is often viewed as having significant personal benefit since you retain the improved appearance 24/7. To strengthen your position, I'd recommend: - Documenting the exact percentage increase in your modeling income post-veneers - Keeping all communications from your agent about this recommendation - Consider deducting only the portion that's proportional to your modeling income vs. total income Given that this is a substantial expense ($10,500) and potentially audit-triggering, I'd strongly suggest consulting with a tax professional who has experience with entertainment industry deductions before filing. They can help you present the strongest possible case and ensure you're following all the proper documentation requirements. The good news is that with your level of documentation, this isn't automatically disallowed - it just needs to be handled carefully and professionally.