Can I deduct a custom putter as office art for my self-employed business?
I run a small business consulting practice out of my office where I meet with clients regularly. I've been thinking about sprucing up the place to make it more inviting. I'm considering getting a custom-made putter for a little practice green I have in my office. This would be solely for clients to use while they're waiting or when we're having more casual discussions. The putter would be specially commissioned, almost like a piece of art really. It would stay in the office 100% of the time - never coming home with me. I know that office art is generally an allowed business deduction, so I'm wondering if this custom putter would qualify since it's both functional and decorative? Has anyone had experience deducting something similar? I'm trying to understand if the IRS would consider this a legitimate business expense or if they'd view it more as entertainment which has different deduction rules. Thanks for any insight!
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Mohamed Anderson
As someone who's worked with small business taxes for years, this is an interesting question. The key factor here isn't whether it's "art" but whether it's an "ordinary and necessary" business expense for your consulting practice. If the custom putter stays in your office 100% of the time and serves a legitimate business purpose (like creating a comfortable environment for clients or facilitating business discussions), you could potentially deduct it as a business expense. However, it would be categorized as office equipment/furnishings rather than art. Since it has dual purposes (decorative and functional), you'll need to document its business purpose clearly. I'd recommend taking photos of it displayed in your office, keeping records of client meetings where it was used, and having a clear business justification ready if questioned.
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Ellie Perry
•What if the putter is really expensive though? Like if it costs $3,000? Wouldn't that raise red flags with the IRS since a normal putter costs way less?
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Mohamed Anderson
•The cost itself isn't necessarily a problem as long as it's reasonable for your business context. Many businesses purchase high-end furniture or decor items that cost thousands. What matters is whether the expense is ordinary and necessary for your specific business. For a consulting practice where you're trying to create a certain professional image or atmosphere, a custom decorative item could be justified. However, you should be prepared to demonstrate that the expense is proportionate to your business needs and income level. Keep detailed documentation showing its exclusive business use and purpose.
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Landon Morgan
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Teresa Boyd
•How does this work exactly? Do they just review photos or do they need other documentation too? I've got some weird office expenses I'm not sure about.
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Lourdes Fox
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Landon Morgan
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Lourdes Fox
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Maggie Martinez
From my experience with business deductions, anything dual-purpose tends to draw scrutiny. My tax guy always says to ask: "Would I have bought this if I didn't have the business?" If the answer is yes, it's harder to justify as 100% business. A $3k custom putter might be questionable unless you can show clients actually use it regularly as part of your business process. Maybe document each time clients use it? Just my 2 cents.
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Alejandro Castro
•Is it different if you're in a golf-related business? I sell custom golf accessories and have display items in my office that are technically usable but mainly for showing clients.
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Maggie Martinez
•For your situation it's completely different since those items directly relate to what you're selling. That's a clear business purpose - they're essentially product samples or demonstration items. You could likely deduct those as ordinary and necessary business expenses. In the original poster's consulting business that's unrelated to golf, it's harder to show a direct business purpose for an expensive putter beyond general office decor or client entertainment. That's where the documentation becomes more important to demonstrate regular business use.
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Monique Byrd
Has anyone considered Section 179 deduction for this? Since it's office equipment that will last longer than a year, couldn't you just depreciate the putter over time instead of trying to deduct the full amount in year one? Might attract less attention that way?
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Jackie Martinez
•Actually, Section 179 lets you deduct the full cost in year one rather than depreciating it - that's the whole point of the provision. But you're right that it would apply here if the putter qualifies as business equipment.
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