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Private jets, pools and pups: 7 wild tax deductions the IRS actually allows

Michael Kurko January 10, 2026 at 5:40 AM

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Private jets, pools and pups: 7 wild tax deductions the IRS actually allows (Pinkypills via Getty Images)

Tax season officially kicks off January 26, which gives you a little over two weeks to get your deduction strategy in order. The tax code is roughly 70,000 pages long, and buried in all that bureaucratic prose are some genuinely bizarre write-offs that most people never think to claim.

From private jets to backyard pools to clarinet lessons. These are legitimate provisions the IRS allows under the right circumstances. However, you need proof, documentation and a compelling case that whatever you're deducting serves a genuine tax purpose. Miss one requirement and you might end up with a tax audit instead of a tax break.

Here's a look at seven weird but completely legal deductions hiding in plain sight in the tax code.

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1. Private jets as “business” expenses

Under tax reform provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, businesses can deduct major purchases more quickly than in the past. If you’re a business owner who regularly travels to meet clients, it means the purchase and operational costs of a private jet just might qualify as a legitimate business expense.

The catch? You must prove your new jet is essential to operations, including detailed flight logs, passenger lists and records for each trip. (No joyrides to Aspen.) The aircraft must be used at least 50% for qualified business purposes, and entertainment use can disqualify portions of the deduction.

It applies to other large purchases for “business use” too — including SUVs over 6,000 pounds and corporate retreats. While these write-offs sound ludicrous, they’re perfectly legit for business owners — if you play by the rules.

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2. Energy-efficient upgrades (for now)

Upgrading your HVAC system or water heater? You may qualify for federal tax credits on energy-efficient improvements. The Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit includes heat pumps, water heaters, insulation and exterior doors and windows.

The not-so-great news? These credits expired at the end of 2025, so you can't claim them on your 2025 tax return unless you completed the upgrades before January 1, 2026.

Beyond the feds, you might qualify for state rebates. California, New York and more than 10 other states have launched programs offering up to $14,000 for energy-efficient appliances and upgrades, with more states rolling out programs throughout 2025. Reach out to your state’s energy office to see what’s available in your area.

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3. A medically necessary swimming pool

No, this doesn’t mean a backyard pool for winding down after a rough day. But if your doctor prescribes swimming as medically necessary — for severe arthritis or mobility therapy, for example — you may be able to deduct installation, cleaning, supplies and maintenance costs as a medical expense.

Expenses must exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. And proof must hold up to the IRS’s scrutiny, including a prescription from your doctor, proof the pool is designed for therapy and records showing it’s for essential medical treatment.

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4. Clarinet lessons (yes, really)

In one unusual case, parents were able to deduct the cost of their child’s music lessons. The reason? Their orthodontist recommended a clarinet for correcting an overbite. Surprisingly, the IRS agreed that the lessons qualified as a medical expense.

This decades-old revenue ruling proves just how flexible the tax code can be if you have the right documentation to establish medical necessity. While clarinet lessons aren’t a usual deduction, it never hurts to think creatively — and check with a tax professional before ruling anything out.

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5. Guard dogs (if they actually guard)

Man’s best friend is now man’s best deduction. If you use a dog to protect your business property — think junkyards, warehouses or remote sites — you may be able to deduct its upkeep as a business expense.

Deductible costs can include food, veterinary care, training and even pet insurance, but only if you can prove you’re genuinely using the animal for business protection. (Family pets need not apply.)

What about service animals? Guide dogs, therapeutic animals and even miniature horses are deductible as medical expenses under different rules. You’ll need a doctor’s prescription and other documentation to qualify.

🔍 Read more: 6 surprising tax breaks every pet owner should know about

6. Body oil for professional wrestlers

Professional athletes and entertainers can take advantage of a whole range of tax deductions that aren’t available to most people. In one case, a wrestler was able to deduct body oil as a business expense since it was directly related to his professional image. (His buffalo meat supplements and “shake drinks,” however? Denied.)

Similarly, stage costumes, makeup and props can qualify if they aren’t something you’d wear every day. That means you can’t deduct your office blazer, but you may be able to deduct a white lamé jumpsuit if you’re a professional Elvis impersonator in Las Vegas.

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7. Doctor-prescribed weight-loss programs

Joining Weight Watchers or Noom on your own won’t get you a tax break. But if your doctor prescribes a weight-loss program to treat a specific condition — obesity, hypertension, heart disease — the program’s fees might qualify as a medical expense.

How about all those meal replacements, supplements or “diet” foods? Just like our wrestler’s buffalo meat, the IRS considers these ordinary groceries.

The key is the program itself must be doctor-prescribed for a diagnosed condition, not for general wellness or to look better in a swimsuit.

🔍 Read more: How all 50 states tax retirees and income — for 2026

Bottom line: Unusual deductions still demand proof

Tax codes are complex enough without these bizarre loopholes. But just because something can be a deduction doesn’t mean it will be.

Each of these unusual write-offs come with strict requirements. Claim a guard dog without a legitimate business use? Deduct your swimming pool without a doctor’s prescription? You could be inviting an IRS audit, not lowering your tax bill.

The lesson: These deductions are real, but they’re not shortcuts. If you think you qualify for a tax break, talk with a trusted financial advisor, a tax professional or a lawyer specializing in tax law first. With the right documentation, it just might pass IRS scrutiny.

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About the writer

Michael Kurko is a finance writer and editor who covers investing, real estate, personal budgeting and financial literacy. His expertise has been featured in FinanceBuzz, The Balance, Investopedia, U.S. News & World Report and Forbes Advisor, among other top financial publications. In addition to his work in finance, Michael is also a freelance book editor and fiction writer. He strives to make complex money topics clear and approachable so readers can make informed decisions and build lasting financial confidence.

Article edited by Kelly Suzan Waggoner

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