Employee wages
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Can I Write Off Employee Wages?
Short answer: Yes: reasonable wages, salaries, and bonuses paid to employees are fully deductible.
Payroll must run through W-2s with withholding; the employer share of payroll taxes is deductible too.
Records to keep: Keep receipts or invoices, proof of payment, and a short note of the business purpose.
BW-B22-00654
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Employee wages
Varies
General Business
Payroll & Labor
Business Write-Off Questions
Yes: reasonable wages, salaries, and bonuses paid to employees are fully deductible.
BizWriteOffs provides educational information only and is not tax, legal, or accounting advice. Deductibility depends on your specific facts and records. Consult a qualified tax professional.
Business justification
Yes: reasonable wages, salaries, and bonuses paid to employees are fully deductible. Payroll must run through W-2s with withholding; the employer share of payroll taxes is deductible too.
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