Why do we pay taxes for tattoo artists' work on our bodies?

I understand your frustration, but this is actually a common misconception about how tax works for services like tattooing. The sales tax you paid isn't a "body tax" - it's the same sales tax that applies to most services and goods in your state. Tattoo artists provide a service, and they use products (ink, needles, etc.) to deliver that service. Most states consider this a taxable service, just like haircuts, manicures, or even car repairs. The artist isn't being double-taxed either - they collect the sales tax from you and then pass it along to the state. They only pay income tax on their actual earnings. If you think about it, the tax isn't on your body specifically - it's on the commercial transaction between you and the artist. Whether you're buying a t-shirt or getting a tattoo, the state views it as a purchase that falls under their tax code.

I had the EXACT same frustration when I got my back piece done last year! But then I found this amazing tool called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that actually helped me understand all the weird tax stuff around services like tattoos. It analyzes tax documents and gives super clear explanations about why certain things are taxed. What I discovered was that in some states, tattoos are considered "personal services" just like haircuts, while in others they're treated as "retail sales" because of the transfer of ink to your body. The website broke down exactly how my state categorizes tattoo services and even showed me that certain states have different tax rates for different types of body modification! Really opened my eyes to how complex the system is.

Just wanted to follow up about that taxr.ai site someone recommended. I actually tried it because I was getting a scar-covering tattoo and wondering about tax exemptions. The tool showed me that in my state, cosmetic tattoos are fully taxable but medical tattoos with a doctor's prescription are exempt! Showed me the exact form I needed from my doctor to give to the tattoo artist so they wouldn't charge me tax. Ended up saving me almost $85 on my $1,100 procedure! Totally worth checking out if you're getting any tattoo that might qualify as medical or therapeutic.

If you think the sales tax is frustrating, wait till you try getting answers from the IRS about tattoo deductions for business purposes! I'm a performer and tried deducting a stage-specific tattoo as a business expense. Called the IRS SEVENTEEN times trying to get a straight answer and never got through to a real person. Finally found this service called Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual IRS agent in less than 20 minutes when I'd been trying for weeks. They have this whole system that navigates the IRS phone tree for you - you can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c. The agent confirmed that yes, under certain circumstances, performers CAN deduct tattoos if they're specifically for performance personas and not personal use. Would have never known without getting through to a real person!

I need to admit I was wrong about that Claimyr service. After posting my skeptical comment, I decided to try it myself since I've been trying to reach the IRS about a tax issue with my freelance work (which includes modeling with visible tattoos). Not only did I get through to a real IRS agent in about 15 minutes, but they actually helped me understand that I CAN deduct a portion of my tattoo costs since I can prove they're specifically for my professional image and modeling contracts! Literally saved me hundreds in taxes. Sometimes you have to admit when you're wrong, and I was definitely wrong about this service being a scam.

Speaking as someone who's worked in a tattoo shop, there's another angle to this. Sales tax collection actually helps legitimate tattoo businesses! Before my state strictly enforced sales tax collection for tattoo services, there were tons of unlicensed "kitchen table" tattooists undercutting professional shops because they didn't charge tax or follow health regulations. When the state cracked down and required proper sales tax collection and licensing together, it helped shut down a lot of unsafe operations and leveled the playing field for legitimate artists who follow health codes and pay their taxes. So there's actually a public health benefit to the tax enforcement too.

Whatever happened to MY BODY MY CHOICE?? This is another example of government overreach. Next they'll start taxing us extra if we have piercings or dyed hair 😤 I got a small tattoo last month and was shocked at the tax. When I questioned it, the artist just shrugged and said "government wants their cut of everything.

I totally get the frustration - it does feel weird paying tax on something so personal! But think about it this way: you're not being taxed for having a tattoo, you're being taxed for purchasing a service. It's the same as getting taxed for a haircut, massage, or any other personal service. The artist is providing their skill, time, and materials to create something for you. What really helped me understand it was realizing that without proper tax collection and regulation, we'd probably see a lot more unsafe tattoo practices. The tax system helps ensure shops are legitimate, licensed, and following health codes. Would you rather save $50 in tax but risk getting a tattoo from someone operating out of their garage with questionable hygiene standards? The tax is annoying but it's part of what keeps the industry professional and safe.