SA103 box 23 — advertising and business entertainment costs

Marketing & Advertising

Costs of promoting your business to potential customers — websites, ads, printed materials, and free samples given to prospects.

What you CAN claim

  • Website hosting, domain registration, and design
  • Google Ads, Meta Ads, and other paid advertising
  • Leaflets, flyers, business cards
  • Branded merchandise given to customers
  • Sponsorship with your business name prominently featured
  • Photography for business use (website, portfolio)

What you CANNOT claim

  • Client entertainment (separately treated — not allowable)
  • Personal social media costs
  • Donations (unless to charity with no business benefit)

Common examples for sole traders

Google Ads campaign spendWebsite hosting annual feePrinted business cardsFacebook/Instagram ad spendBranded tote bags for clientsProduct photography session

Practical tips

  1. 1

    Website redesign costs above £1,000 may need to be treated as a capital expense rather than revenue

  2. 2

    Photography is fully deductible if for business use

  3. 3

    Keep all receipts for ad spend — platforms usually provide monthly invoices

View HMRC guidance on GOV.UK

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