If I paid rent on a space for two months before my business officially opened can that be deducted?

[leah-1127]

Can this fall under startup costs?

[PeterM · Accepted solution]

Yes, this is a business expense. I would actually include it in the normal business expenses for "Rent".

Start-up costs are amounts paid or incurred for (a) creating an active trade or business, or (b) investigating the creation or acquisition of an active trade or business. Start-up costs include amounts paid or incurred in connection with an existing activity engaged in for profit, and for the production of income in anticipation of the activity becoming an active trade or business.