Shave the NYC haircut tax to help shops recover, barbershop owner says

The owner of the classic Astor Place Hair Stylists in the East Village — whose loyal customers include celebrities and even Mayor Bill de Blasio — is urging New York lawmakers to eliminate the 4.5 percent sales tax on haircuts to help stylists get over the COVID-19 crisis.

“City barbers and hairdressers are being unfairly singled out for a punitive tax, yet they are among the hardest-working New Yorkers who are least able to afford it,” said owner Jonathan Trichter. “New York City taxes haircuts, hair coloring, blow drying, wet shaves, hair restorations, permanents and straightenings at a rate of 4.5 percent. If the city asked the state to snip that tax, I will pass on the savings to our barbers and hairstylists, increasing their pay by 4.5 percent.”