What expense category do business cards come under?

When you're sorting out your business expenses, you might wonder where business cards fit in. They're small but important tools for networking and promotion. Categorizing them correctly helps keep your financial records straight and can even impact your tax deductions.

Classifying business card expenses

When it comes to categorizing business cards, you have a couple of common options:

• Advertising and promotional expenses: If you use business cards to promote your business and connect with potential clients, they fit neatly under advertising expenses.
• Office supplies: If the cards are mainly used within your company—for example, sharing contact info among team members—they might be considered office supplies.

Examples of business card expenses

• Design and printing costs: Paying a designer to create your business card and the cost of printing them.
• Bulk orders for events: Ordering extra cards for trade shows or networking events.
• Employee cards: Providing cards to new team members so they can represent your business.
• Specialty finishes: Extra costs for unique features like embossing or foil stamping.

For example, if you spend $200 on designing and printing business cards for a marketing campaign, you would categorize this expense under advertising and promotional expenses.

Tax implications of business card expenses

• Tax-deductible advertising: When classified as advertising expenses, the costs of your business cards are generally tax-deductible because they help promote your business.
• Reporting correctly: If you're a sole proprietor or single-member LLC, you can report advertising expenses on Line 8 of Schedule C. Corporations and partnerships should refer to their specific tax forms.
• Keeping records: Maintain receipts and documentation for all business card expenses to support your deductions if needed.

Let Ramp automate your expense process

Managing expenses like business cards doesn't have to be a hassle. Ramp can automate the categorization and tracking of all your business expenses, including business cards. With Ramp's platform, you'll have accurate, up-to-date records, making expense management effortless so you can focus on growing your business.