Business Expenses

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IRS.gov Website

Publication 535
Business Expenses

Introduction, Useful Items and Important Changes

For use in Preparing 2010 Returns

Chapter 1
Deducting Business Expenses

What Can I Deduct?

Cost of Goods Sold
Capital Expenses
Capital versus Deductible Expenses
Personal versus Business Expenses

How Much Can I Deduct?

When Can I Deduct an Expense?

Not-for-Profit Activities

Limit on Deductions

Chapter 2
Employees' Pay

Tests for Deducting Pay

Test 1—Reasonableness
Test 2—For Services Performed

Awards
Bonuses
Education Expenses
Fringe Benefits
Loans or Advances
Property
Reimbursements for Business Expenses
Sick and Vacation Pay

Chapter 3
Rent Expense

Taxes on Leased Property

Cost of Getting a Lease

Improvements by Lessee

Capitalizing Rent Expenses

Chapter 4
Interest

Allocation of Interest

Interest You Can Deduct

Interest You Cannot Deduct

Capitalization of Interest

When To Deduct Interest

Below-Market Loans

Chapter 5
Taxes

When To Deduct Taxes

Real Estate Taxes

Employment Taxes

Chapter 6
Insurance

Deductible Premiums

Self-Employed Health Insurance Deduction

Nondeductible Premiums

Capitalized Premiums

When To Deduct Premiums

Chapter 7
Costs You Can Deduct or Capitalize

Carrying Charges

Research and Experimental Costs

Intangible Drilling Costs

Exploration Costs

Development Costs

Circulation Costs

Environmental Cleanup Costs

Qualified Disaster Expenses

Business Start-Up and Organizational Costs

Reforestation Costs

Retired Asset Removal Costs

Barrier Removal Costs

Film and Television Production Costs

Chapter 8
Amortization

How To Deduct Amortization

Starting a Business

Business Start-Up Costs
Costs of Organizing a Corporation
Costs of Organizing a Partnership
How To Amortize

Getting a Lease

Section 197 Intangibles

Section 197 Intangibles Defined
Assets That Are Not Section 197 Intangibles
Safe Harbor for Creative Property Costs
Anti-Churning Rules
Incorrect Amount of Amortization Deducted
Disposition of Section 197 Intangibles

Reforestation Costs

Geological and Geophysical Costs

Pollution Control Facilities

Research and Experimental Costs

Optional Write-off of Certain Tax Preferences

Chapter 9
Depletion

Who Can Claim Depletion?

Mineral Property

Cost Depletion
Percentage Depletion
Oil and Gas Wells
Mines and Geothermal Deposits
Lessor's Gross Income

Chapter 10
Business Bad Debts

Definition of Business Bad Debt

Types of Business Bad Debts

When a Debt Becomes Worthless

How To Claim a Business Bad Debt

Specific Charge-Off Method
Nonaccrual-Experience Method

Recovery of a Bad Debt

Chapter 11
Other Expenses

Reimbursement of Travel, Meals, and Entertainment

Miscellaneous Expenses

Chapter 12
How To Get Tax Help