Tax Preparer Teams with Tattoo Biz

A South Carolina tax preparation firm has a suggestion for taxpayers looking to spend their tax refund: How about a tattoo?

Truckers Tax 1099 has teamed with Eye Pollution Custom Tattoo of Boiling Springs, S.C., to develop a cross-promotional program for local residents in need of tax preparation services, as reported by the online edition of the Spartanburg (S.C.) Herald-Journal, “Tax season is the busiest season for tattoo artists,” Eye Pollution co-proprietor James Ashby reportedly told the news outlet. “A lot of people choose to use their tax returns to pay for new tattoos.”

Truckers is owned by Ashby's father, Frank Ashby, who once worked for Arthur Andersen in Chicago and has prepared taxes for nearly five decades, the article said.

The owners reportedly hoped to offer the tax preparation services out of the tattoo shop, but state health regs only allow the shop to be used for tattooing; the businesses will instead refer customers to each other.

“I’m really excited about this,” the elder Ashby told the paper. “I don't think there is another tattoo shop in town offering this kind of partnership. I am extremely proud of the work my son and his staff are doing.”