Skip to main content
J
jimlund1636
Level 1
June 3, 2020
Question

How to write off the purchase of a client list

  • June 3, 2020
  • 2 replies
  • 30 views

I am buying a list of clients to service in my financial services practice. How do I write off, depreciate or amortize the purchase?

This topic has been closed for replies.

2 replies

Just-Lisa-Now-
Just-Lisa-Now-Intuit Community Champion
Intuit Community Champion
June 3, 2020

I've never actually had one of these, but Section 197 intangibles get amortized.

https://www.irs.gov/publications/p535#en_US_2019_publink1000208966

♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥Lisa♥¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪
    S
    Sharon92
    Level 2
    June 3, 2020

    Client lists are amortizable, starting with the month of purchase.  They have a 15 year life from that

    date.  Therefore, you would take straight-line amortization expense.    

      Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
      Tax software
      Intuit Lacerte Tax
      Intuit ProConnect Tax
      Intuit ProSeries Tax
      Referral Program
      Workflow add-ons
      Intuit Tax Advisor
      Hosting for Lacerte & ProSeries
      eSignature
      Protection Plus
      Pay-by-Refund
      Intuit Link
      Accounting solutions
      QuickBooks Online Accountant
      QuickBooks Accountant Desktop
      EasyACCT
      Training & support
      Training Center
      Learn & Support
      Resources for starting a tax practice
      Tax Pro Center
      How to get started offering advisory services
      Call Sales: 833-564-8436
      Sitemap
      Turbotax icon creditkarma icon QuickBooks icon Mailchimp icon
      About Intuit Join Our Team Press Room Affiliates and Partners Software and Licenses

      © 2026 Intuit Inc. All rights reserved.

      Intuit, QuickBooks, QB, TurboTax, ProConnect, Credit Karma, and Mailchimp are registered trademarks of Intuit Inc. Terms and conditions, features, support, pricing, and service options subject to change without notice.

      By accessing and using this page you agree to the Terms and Conditions.

      Terms and Conditions About cookies Manage cookies
      Legal Privacy Security
      TRUSTe
      Products
      T1 Tax Module
      T2/CO-17 Tax Module
      T3 Tax Module
      T4, T5 & Other Tax Forms
      Tax Suites
      Single Returns (OnePay)
      ProFile 20
      QuickBooks Online Accountant
      Pricing
      Pricing & bundles
      Free trial
      Learn
      Getting started
      Training
      Webinars & events
      Support
      Download & activate
      Community & support
      System requirements
      Refer a friend
      Call sales: 1-844-861-3600
      Manage cookies

      © 2026 Intuit Inc. All rights reserved.

      Intuit and QuickBooks are registered trademarks of Intuit Inc. Terms and conditions, features, support, pricing, and service options subject to change without notice.

      Legal Privacy Contact Contact
      Logiciels
      Logiciel d’impôt T1
      T2/CO-17 Tax software
      Logiciel d’impôt T3
      T4, T5 et autres formulaires fiscaux
      Suites Fiscales
      PayezPourUN
      ProFile 20
      Signature Intuit pour ProFile
      QuickBooks en ligne Comptable
      Prix
      Prix et offres groupées
      Essai gratuit
      Apprentissage
      Démarrage
      Formation
      Webinaires et événements
      Soutien
      Télécharger et activer
      Communauté et soutien
      Exigences système
      Recommandez un ami
      Appeler les ventes : 1 800 943-9834
      Paramètres des témoins

      © 2026 Intuit Inc. Tous droits réservés.

      Intuit et QuickBooks sont des marques déposées d’Intuit, Inc. Les modalités, les fonctions, le soutien, les prix et les options de service peuvent être modifiés sans préavis.

      By accessing and using this page you agree to the Terms and Conditions.

      Nos offres d’emploi Contactez nous Renseignements juridiques Confidentialité