Struggling Salons Seek Tax Parity With Pandemic-Hit Restaurants

Beauty salons and barber shops are in turmoil amid the coronavirus pandemic.

They can’t offer takeout and delivery like restaurants, must invest in protective equipment, and have to operate at limited capacity. Some standard services, such as facials and beard trims, can’t be provided. And the rules keep changing.

The industry, which has a substantial percentage of women- and minority-owned businesses, is now turning to Congress to change the tax code and provide them with much-needed cash.

The salon owners are pushing legislation that would give these businesses the same Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tip tax credit that is ...