If you’ve ever wondered, “Can marketing be a tax write-off next April?” — good news: it can.
Marketing and advertising costs are considered ordinary and necessary business expenses, which means most of them are 100% tax deductible. According to Paychex, any cost related to promoting your business or finding new customers can typically be written off…as long as it’s directly tied to your business activities.
What Counts as a Marketing Write-Off?
When asking “Can marketing be a tax write-off?”, it’s important to know which expenses qualify. Marketing can take many forms — and most of them count.
- Billboards and print ads — Think traditional advertising like newspapers, magazines, or local posters.
- Business cards and promotional materials — Printing flyers, postcards, or branded merch all count.
- Social media and digital ads — Paid campaigns on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or Google Ads are deductible.
- Web design and development — The cost of building and maintaining your business website can qualify.
- Freelance creative work — Payments to designers, writers, videographers, or marketing agencies (like us!) for content creation and branding projects are usually deductible.
You can also include marketing software subscriptions, email marketing platforms, and photography or video production used for promotional purposes. Even hosting fees, domain renewals, or boosted posts on social media can fall under deductible marketing costs.
If you sponsor community events, pay for influencer collaborations, or order branded signage for trade shows — those, too, are typically eligible marketing deductions.
In other words, if it helps your business get seen, grow, or connect with customers — it’s likely deductible.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
While most marketing expenses are eligible, there are limits. The IRS allows deductions that are “ordinary and necessary” — meaning your expenses must be common for your industry and helpful for running your business.
So yes to social media ads and branded t-shirts. But probably no to skywriting your logo over Times Square or hiring a celebrity for a private event, unless that’s truly part of your marketing plan and your accountant agrees it’s reasonable.
It’s also smart to separate personal and business marketing expenses — for example, if you sponsor a local event, make sure your logo and business name are clearly displayed to demonstrate a direct promotional purpose. The clearer your documentation, the easier it will be to back up the deduction later if needed.
Another pro tip: track your marketing costs throughout the year, not just at tax time. Setting up a dedicated marketing expense category in your bookkeeping software makes it simple to stay organized and maximize your deductions when April rolls around.
Why This Matters for Small Businesses
For small businesses, these deductions can add up fast. Marketing is essential for growth — not a luxury. And knowing that those expenses can also reduce your taxable income makes it easier to invest confidently in your brand.
Whether you’re running Facebook ads, revamping your website, or working with a creative agency like Blue Ridge Creative Marketing, keep detailed records of every invoice, contract, and receipt. Your future self (and your accountant) will thank you.
Even modest marketing budgets can stretch further when you remember that each dollar spent on growth also works as a tax deduction. That means more room to test new ideas, experiment with ad campaigns, and build your brand without feeling guilty about the cost.
The Bottom Line
So, can marketing be a tax write-off? Yes — 100%.
From digital advertising and website creation to promotional products and printed materials, you can typically deduct the full cost. Just make sure it’s connected to your business and documented properly.
At Blue Ridge Creative Marketing, we help brands build awareness and grow — and we love seeing our clients make smart financial moves while they do it.
