A very alluring tax deduction...

Are Pokemon Go lures tax deductible?

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We have all seen how Pokemon Go has swept over the smartphone community with download records being broken and teenagers rediscovering the outdoors again. Players of the game tend to be drawn to places where lures have been placed resulting in waves of young (and some old) people huddling around various landmarks (such as my local chip shop) looking for their next catch. So my question is this...

If a businuss owner downloads the app, buys a lure in the game using real money and places it at the Pokestop outside their place of business to attract additional footfall, can that business claim a tax deduction for the cost as an allowable marketing expense (assuming the cost is put through the business)? 

I would say yes but interested to see what other peoples thoughts are.

Replies (2)

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By SteveHa
27th Jul 2016 16:10

I'd say legitimate business expense for legitimate expectations, so yes.

I'd question the wisdom, though, since from what I've seen, Pokemon players tend to be oblivious to the real world around them, so whether those footfalls would translate to business is an entirely different thing.

Thanks (2)
Sarah Douglas - HouseTree Business Ltd
By sarah douglas
27th Jul 2016 17:07

Well it could relate to business as you can put the pokemon lure in the shop so they have to go in. My son said Clydebank was full of them. My 2 local shops both have Pokemon Gyms out side their shop and food stops for the pokemon. So I recommended to the owner to put up a sign real food available to keep you going for Pokeman hunting, they put a sign up highlighting the Pokemon and fun notice to attract customer who were huddle outside the shop to buy something while they were there. If you fancy it Ben Nevis has rare ones at the top to attract more visitors. I would say yes they should be a valid expense it is just another form of advertising.

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