Deducting Scribs
Scrubs are the typical uniform for those in the nursing/medical profession. There are a ton of myths about deducting clothes worn to work. Many professionals think they can write off their suits and other professional attire because their jobs demand they dress that way. Others think they can write off those clothes because they only wear them to work. Neither of those are reasons workplace attire is deductible.
Fortunately for you, scrubs are deductible. The main reason is that it’s not reasonable for you to wear the scrubs anyplace else.
While many know that the purchase price of their uniforms are deductible, not as many realize they can actually deduct the cost of maintaining (mostly cleaning) those uniforms. If you have them dry cleaned its easy to track the deductible costs. Just keep the receipts from the cleaners and you’re good to go. If you take them to a laundromat or use pay machines at your home or complex it’s also easy to track.
If you clean your uniforms at home you have to do a lot of calculating. That probably isn’t feasible for most of you. So its better to make VERY conservative estimates.
Unfortunately while are nurses are eligible to claim the deduction it may not benefit all of you. Statutory employees (ex: some companion sitters) and those who are self employed/independent contractors can deduct scrubs and other expenses pretty much the same way as a business would. If you’re a regular employee you must be eligible to itemize to deduct uniform expenses.