In general, companies can deduct rent as a business expense on their federal tax return. However, several rules limit this tax break. For example, payments made under a conditional sales contract aren’t deductible as rent. And you can’t deduct “unreasonable” rent. This means it’s higher than market value, such as inflated rent paid to a “related person.” If you pay in advance, you can only deduct rent that applies to your use of the property during the tax year. (You’ll be able to deduct the rest in the year to which the payment applies.) On the other hand, you can usually deduct expenses you’ve paid to cancel a business lease. For help identifying deductible expenses, contact us.