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January 12, 2023
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What expense category would paid website content fall under?

  • January 12, 2023
  • 1 reply
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I run a number of information based websites which I sell advertising space on, and I purchase content for them from freelance writers in an ongoing fashion (articles/posts). For the first time I'm moving from needing to state a catch all one figure 'expenses' on a simple tax return to a full Self Assessment where there are more categories for expenses.

 

This is the only expense that I'm unsure of how to appropriately categorise. Is it best placed in 'other business expenses' or elsewhere (allowable expenses categories here ) I understand that this box is typically more often used for smaller expenses though I could of course explain more in 'additional information' .

 

The only other options would be 'advertising and business entertainment costs' (my thinking is that this is typically specific material to advertise a business, such as say newspaper ads and a promotional website - rather than the actual main website itself)  and 'phone, fax, and other office costs (but this seems too equipment and software based rather than actual content). Thoughts?

 

Best answer by taxingtasks

Thanks very much for your help. I'm new to quickbooks and your detailed response is just what I was looking for, in terms of both category concerns and the more practical side of inputting this information.

1 reply

MichelleBh
January 12, 2023

Well done on your suggested categories, @taxingtasks; they are both viable options. 

 

I'm happy to add additional information about recording your paid website content in QuickBooks Self-Employed (QBSE). 

 

In QBSE, the Other business expenses or Advertising and business entertainment cost categories would be appropriate for recording your paid website content. That said, you can use either of the two.

 

Here's how: 

 

  1. Open your QBSE account and go to the Transaction menu. 
  2. Select the Add transaction button. 
  3. Complete the DateDescription, and Amount
  4. In the Category and Tags section, select Advertising or Other business expenses
  5. Hit Save

 

You also have the option to reach out to an accountant for more guidance on recording this transaction. 

 

Furthermore, in your spare time, you can read the following articles to learn more about how to categorise recent and past QBSE transactions quickly:

 

 

If you have any further questions, please respond to this message, and we will be happy to assist you. Keep safe.

taxingtasksAuthorAnswer
January 13, 2023

Thanks very much for your help. I'm new to quickbooks and your detailed response is just what I was looking for, in terms of both category concerns and the more practical side of inputting this information.