I'm starting a YouTube channel to cultivate a community that appreciates a particular aesthetic/vibe and will, among other relevant content, feature merchandise items (some I create, others I am an affiliate marketer and others just things I appreciate that create that certain aesthetic. I will also do some.product reviews for items on this channel.
For context (if you need it) of how this channel will be considered a biz and not a hobby. This channel is as an extension of my new start-up business that has an associated website and social media page to promote some items I created and will also include various items I get affiliate commission from as well as offering a related consulting service (for that aesthetic vibe) from me.
I wonder if I purchase an item like a hat or drinking glass (that I am not personally selling from my own website) and did I review on it, and use it in the opening promo song for my YouTube channel on every episode, could these items be deductible as marketing as branding of my business website, business social media and this YouTube channel f it would be deductible? 'Iim an affiliate and would include affiliate link to receive commission. I also would include some items that I am not an affiliate for, if possible. Could These items be considered business start-up?
Also, if I purchase clothing to wear on the YouTube broadcast (but I am not an affiliate for that company) can that be deducted as a business expense?
My question is a piggyback of this question below on a former post where someone wanted to deduct costs of wardrobe/fashion expenses for their you tube channel where they would do a review on those wardrobe fashion items
I actually wanted to hear a response to her question below, Thank you :
"Scenario 3: This is an add on to the original poster’s question.... If they buy an item for $500 and do a YouTube review on it but then every single time they do a future review on a different item that $500 item is on display in the background of their videos as part of their branding image. Each time they review a new item they put it on a shelf so everyone can see it in the background of all future videos. At that point the item is 100% for business use only. Can each item be deducted 100% in this scenario?"
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as long as the items relate to your You Tube activity they should qualify as start-up costs until you go live or a regular business expense once live. Business expenses are covered by IRS code section 162 - basically ordinary and necessary expenses are deductible but there have been many court cases over the meaning of those words.
see this link for clothing
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