The confusion here is due to the semantics many MLM companies use within their Policies & Procedures manual regarding a distributor's monthly Personal sales Volume (PV). Technically, the vast majority of MLM programs, such as doTERRA, do not "require" that a distributor personally purchase the requisite amount of products because the sales they make to their (non-distributor) customers also counts towards PV. So if your customers purchase more than 100 PV you don't have to purchase anything more. In this case, doTERRA's P&Ps even go on to state that there is, "No Requirement to Purchase Products" (Sec. 5.A.) and "Purchasing Product Solely to Qualify for Bonuses is Prohibited" (Sec. 5.C.). So you do need to delineate between those products you purchased for personal use and those you used for business purposes (e.g. as samples, for display, or for resale). Although the latter may be deductible, the former are, as TurboTaxDiane said, definitely not.
