Guide · 6 min read
Facials, lashes, waxing, retail skincare — built for solo estheticians and small studios.
Booth rent, product, continuing education, gas to the supplier, retail margin — none of it gets tracked, so the CPA gives up and uses estimates. Estimates always cost more than reality. A simple monthly system saves $3–5K a year.
Booking app payouts in. Booth rent, supplies, education out. Match weekly.
Back-bar product (what you use on clients) is an expense. Retail (what you sell) is inventory until sold. Different tax treatment.
In most states, you collect sales tax on skincare you sell. File and remit monthly or quarterly per your state.
Save 25–30% of net for tax. Pay April, June, September, January. Skip a quarter = IRS penalty.
SnapBooks tracks supplies, retail skincare, booth rent, and tax — so you can focus on clients.
Start freeSchedule C with your 1040, plus Schedule SE for self-employment tax. Pay quarterly to the IRS to avoid penalties.
Most states don't tax facial/lash/wax services, but retail skincare you sell to clients usually is. A handful of states (HI, NM, SD) do tax services.
Single-use supplies (lashes, adhesive, primer, tape) are immediate expenses. Equipment like lash beds, magnifying lamps, sterilizers are Section 179 — expense the full cost year 1.
Booth rent = predictable cost, you keep 100% of revenue. Commission = no rent risk, but you give up 40–60%. Booth rent wins once you're booked solid.
Yes for liability protection — you're applying chemicals near eyes and skin. Single-member LLC is cheap. S-corp election once profits exceed ~$40K saves significant SE tax.