Comments on: Can I Write Off A Press Release? Ask Anne The Pro Writer

By: annew

annew — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 14:50:53 +0000

I almost didn’t approve this post but it seems this notion of freelance for $x is springing up all over – if you want 20 different gigs at $5 each by all means go for it… but know that you’re working way down at the very bottom of the low-pay spectrum. Guess I’m going to have to write about these too. Frankly, I think they’re awful… but I haven’t yet looked closely.

By: the PR writer

the PR writer — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 13:19:17 +0000

Thanks Anne for your answers. Wondering if its a good idea to freelance Fiverr like sites. There are about 20 of them. If I post in all of them, that should give me more business.

By: Jenn Mattern

Jenn Mattern — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:51:34 +0000

Anne’s spot on. When you write a press release for a client, it’s not a product–it’s a service. People are essentially paying for your time and not the end piece of paper (or more often these days a digital file). Unfortunately what it seems like to us (and I do understand where you’re coming from) doesn’t matter. All that matters is how the IRS views it. You’re not donating a tangible product with existing value. You’re volunteering time in a craft instead, and you don’t likely have many, if any, direct expenses involved.

For example:

1. You CANNOT deduct your typical rate for the time spent researching and writing the press release.

2. You CAN deduct for mileage if you have to attend meetings with the client for the project you’re volunteering for.

3. You CAN deduct for things like paper costs if you print up a few hundred copies of the release and phone expenses if you then fax those copies to media outlets and make followup calls. But you cannot deduct for the time you spend doing those things.

The reason is pretty simple – if you could deduct for services, you’re the only one who determines what those rates are. So I could say my time is worth $500 per hour and base it on that. Obviously the IRS isn’t going to allow that. You can only deduct for real expenses, and your service / time charges are not based on real expenses incurred by you. It falls under their rule of not being allowed to deduct for income lost when you choose to take on volunteer projects.
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By: Anne

Anne — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:18:38 +0000

I’m not sure but somehow I’ve come to think that putting words on paper doesn’t result in a product in the way the IRS views it. Not unless you’re selling multiple copies like a book, ebook or something… then you get royalties which are taxed more favorably as I understand it. All in the US of course.

By: Whitney

Whitney — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:22:50 +0000

Jenn–doesn’t it seem like a press release IS a product? It does to me…

By: Anne

Anne — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:53:08 +0000

Spike, blab away, particularly with the complements

By: Jenn Mattern

Jenn Mattern — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:21:05 +0000

I had the same thought a few years ago when I started my PR firm - I helped out a few nonprofits as well. The services aren't tax deductible like products are sadly. [rq=3274,0,blog][/rq]Land More Freelance Writing Jobs by Questioning Your Clients

By: SpikeTheLobster

SpikeTheLobster — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:02:19 +0000

Anne: Apologies, I seem to be blabbing on every one of your posts at the moment. Just wanted to say that this is the BEST advice. It's so refreshing to see someone say "I don't know. But I know someone who does!" rather than pretending. Oodles of integrity. Yay, Anne! [rq=3231,0,blog][/rq]Worst-Paid Jobs Ever?