Where does advertising go on Schedule C?
Line 8 — Advertising
Advertising and promotion costs go on Schedule C Line 8, 'Advertising'. This includes paid ads, printed material, signage, sponsorships, promotional photography, and the cost of building and running a marketing website. Costs are deductible in the year incurred. Ordinary business gifts to clients are not advertising — they belong in other expenses and are subject to a per-recipient annual limit.
Examples
- Google, Meta, or platform ad spend.
- Flyers, business cards, and vehicle signage.
- Listing photography and portfolio site hosting.
Watch out for
- Website hosting is sometimes reported under office expense instead — pick one and stay with it.
- Charitable donations are not advertising unless you receive promotional benefit.
- Keep platform invoices; ad spend is easy to under-claim from card statements alone.
Stop guessing the category
DocuSpending reads each receipt and assigns the Schedule C category for you, then totals the year on demand.
General information, not tax advice. Amounts, limits, and percentages change between tax years — check the current IRS Schedule C instructions or ask a tax professional about your situation.
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