Im a HerbaLife distributor & use the product myself to show clients/potential clients how they work.Can I write this off? & under what category inventory or advertisement

[Critter]

Sorry but product used  personally is not deductible ... all you get is a cheaper way to buy the product you use.  In fact you must remove the product used personally from the inventory figures on the Sch C.

Now if you use up some product in a demonstration fashion (like avon sellers will have demo product for buyers to try on)  or give some away like a loss leader or gift   that would be different.  

[mel_mel]

I’m using it as a way to market the product. Most people won’t buy a wellness product unless they see someone actually getting results on them would that still not count as any form of business deduction?

[Critter]

Again you are using it personally ... this is no different than you wearing a pair of shoes to show people how good they look & fit ... so unless you lend them a pair to test drive you cannot use that as a deduction.

[mel_mel]

Ok makes sense. How about products used at shake parties? Or events that were not sold but given out to sample

[Critter]

Sample and testing products used at demonstrations can be either supplies or advertising.