Claiming Scissors & Styling Tools on Tax: Hairdresser Guide

A stylist is only as good as their shears. But in 2026, those shears are expensive. A pair of custom Mizutani or Kasho scissors can cost between $500 and $2,000. Combined with a professional-grade kit of dryers, clippers, and irons, your toolkit can easily represent a $5,000 investment.

The good news? Most of these tools are legitimate tax deductions that can help you hold on to more of your hard-earned salon income.

1. The $300 Threshold Rule

This is the most critical rule for Australian stylists to know. How you claim a tool depends on its cost:

• Under $300: You can claim the entire amount as a deduction in the financial year you bought it. This includes round brushes, clippers, capelets, and blow dryers.
• Over $300: You generally cannot write these off in one go (unless small business write-off rules apply). Instead, you use Depreciation. You claim a portion of the value each year as the tool "wears out."

2. High-End Scissors & Shears

Because premium scissors often cost over $300, most stylists have to depreciate them. However, if you are an independent contractor (sole trader) or a salon owner, you can often use the Instant Asset Write-Off to claim the full amount immediately—provided the total asset cost is under certain ATO limits.

3. Maintenance: Sharpening & Repairs

Deductions aren't just for the purchase. The everyday running costs of your tools are also deductible:

• Professional sharpening of shears.
• Repairing clipper motors or replacing blades.
• Replacing heating elements in professional irons.

4. Protecting Your Deduction

The ATO is strict on records. You must have receipts for every single pair of scissors and clipper set you claim. If you use Xero, ensure you attach a PDF copy of your receipts directly to the transaction once they appear in your bank feed.