What expense category does Sprout Social fall under?

Audrey CarrollAudrey Carroll, Senior Manager, Accounting, Ramp

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Trying to figure out where Sprout Social fits in your expense reports? You're not alone. Knowing how to categorize this social media tool can simplify your accounting and give you clearer insights into your spending.

Classifying Sprout Social expenses

Sprout Social expenses typically fall into a couple of categories:

  • Software as a Service (SaaS): Since Sprout Social is a subscription-based platform, it's often classified under SaaS expenses. This helps you track recurring software costs.
  • Marketing expenses: If you're using Sprout Social to boost your online presence, it makes sense to list it under marketing. This ties the expense directly to your efforts to engage customers and build brand awareness.

Examples of Sprout Social expenses

Here are some ways businesses might incur Sprout Social costs:

  • Digital tools subscription: A startup subscribes to Sprout Social to manage its social media accounts, categorizing the cost under SaaS subscriptions.
  • Marketing tools: A retail company uses Sprout Social analytics to plan campaigns, so they list it under marketing expenses.
  • Client services: An agency bills Sprout Social costs to clients as part of project expenses.

For instance, a marketing firm paying $299 per month for Sprout Social might log this as a marketing software expense.

Tax implications of Sprout Social expenses

When it comes to taxes, Sprout Social expenses can often be deducted as ordinary and necessary business expenses. Here's what to consider:

  • Deductible expenses: Subscription fees for tools like Sprout Social are usually tax-deductible.
  • Non-deductible expenses: Expenses related to entertainment, meals, or travel that are incurred while using Sprout Social may not be tax-deductible unless they meet specific IRS requirements.

Ensure you're recording the expense in the correct category to make tax time easier. Tax laws can vary, so it's wise to check with an accountant to ensure compliance. Keeping detailed records of your Sprout Social expenses can help maximize deductions and streamline your tax preparation.

Let Ramp automate your expense process

Managing expenses like Sprout Social doesn't have to be a headache. Ramp can automatically categorize, track, and manage these costs for you. With real-time insights and seamless integration, you can focus on growing your business while Ramp handles the details.

See how Ramp automates accounting and more

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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