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What expense category do cell phones come under?

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There are a few different ways to answer this question, and it really depends on how your business views and uses cell phones. For some businesses, cell phones are seen as a necessary business expense and are categorized as such. For others, cell phones are seen as a personal expense and are not reimbursed by the company. And still others treat cell phones as a mix of both personal and business use, and reimburse employees for a portion of their monthly bill.

The most important thing is to figure out what makes sense for your business and to be consistent in how you categorize cell phone expenses. Below are a few different ways to look at this question.

Cell Phones as a Business Expense

If your business views cell phones as a necessary business expense, then they would likely fall under the category of "communication expenses". This could include things like your monthly cell phone bill, any business-related apps or services you use, and any other related costs. You would then deduct these expenses on your business taxes.

Cell Phones as a Personal Expense

If your business does not reimburse employees for their cell phone expenses, then you would likely categorize them as a personal expense. This means that the cost of your cell phone and any related expenses would not be tax-deductible. However, you may be able to deduct a portion of your cell phone bill if you use it for business purposes and keep track of your usage.

Cell Phones as a Mix of Personal and Business

If your business reimburses employees for a portion of their cell phone bill, then you would likely categorize them as a mix of personal and business expenses. This means that the cost of your cell phone and any related expenses would be partially tax-deductible. For example, if you use your cell phone for 50% business and 50% personal use, you could deduct 50% of the cost on your taxes.

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As we scale we need tools that are built to scale with us - we need to see expenses real time, we need to see duplicate spend. These types of insights are important to the health of our business.
Steve Padis, SVP Finance & Strategy, Barry's
The information provided in this article does not constitute legal or financial advice and is for general informational purposes only. Please check with an attorney or financial advisor to obtain advice with respect to the content of this article.

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