Actor Can Deduct Professional Expenses, But Not Mary Kay Losses

A former Mary Kay sales director turned actor received a mixed ruling from the U.S. Tax Court in her fight against the IRS, with the court acknowledging deductions made for her acting career but rejecting deductions from her failed jewelry business and retirement plan contributions.

Gayle Gaston, a former national sales director for Mary Kay and the mother of actor Robin Wright, retired from Mary Kay in 2010 and launched her own business, selling jewelry to Mary Kay employees. Following the business’s downturn, Gaston began an acting career in 2011, retaining ...