Small Business Resource Guide 2002
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Index > Starting Your Business/Keeping Tax Records > What are Business Expenses

Starting Your Business/Keeping Tax Records

What are Business Expenses

Legal Fees

Legal and professional fees, such as fees charged by accountants, that are ordinary and necessary expenses directly related to operating your business are deductible as business expenses. However, you usually cannot deduct legal fees you pay to acquire business assets. Add them to the basis of the property. See Publication 551, Basis of Assets.

If the fees include payments for work of a personal nature (such as making a will), you take a business deduction only for the part of the fee related to your business. The personal portion of legal fees for producing or collecting taxable income, doing or keeping your job, or for tax advice may be deductible on Schedule A (Form 1040) if you itemize deductions.

 

Important References

Publication 535                  Business Expenses
Publication 551                  Basis of Assets
Form 1040 Schedule C     Profit or Loss from Business