tax deductible ammo?

[General Geoff]

I'm in a bit of a unique situation, in that I think I can write off some ammunition as a tax deduction. I work at a computer shop, and have a couple dozen hard drives of various ages that are in various stages of wear/function. The ones that detect, I've run KillDisk on, but there are several that don't detect or that KillDisk refuses to wipe, so I'm taking the entire lot of drives to the range with me to punch some holes into them. The upshot to this is that the range visit will actually be a business expense. So I should be able to write off the ammunition I use to punch holes into the drives (I'm thinking ~5 rounds per drive should be sufficient) on my tax return. It won't be much (probably under $50), but hey, every little bit helps.

(Note that I'm aware that there are probably more economical ways of achieving the same thing, like drilling holes through the drives with a drill press, but since I don't have a drill press, it would actually cost more as an initial investment to do so; though the press would also be tax deductible, heh)

Can anyone think of a reason why this wouldn't be a legitimate write-off?

[BearTitan]

It's a good idea. Really. I am sure you won't have any trouble at all.

[General Geoff]

Sarcasm aside, do you have any reasons to think it's a bad idea?

[Damage control]

It's not so bad its only Fed. prison after all

[Hawk]

Is this a joke? Why raise a red flag with the IRS for the tax savings on $50 of income? Use a hammer on the drive like the rest of us.

[sjl127]

Sarcasm aside, it's a really silly idea. This would never survive an audit.

Have fun justifying this on an expense report...

[PennsyPlinker]

I wouldn't do it, not at all! Oh by the way, I have a drill press for sale, and I live just down the road from you.

And I am serious, I really do have a drill press for sale. A nice one. No FFL, no background check, you can have it in a FTF transfer. And write it off as a business expense, since you will be drilling holes in those drives with it.

[SteveXD]

The trouble of filling out an schedule c to get a deduction of 50 bux is just a waste of time. After all it's a deduction not a credit so depending on you tax bracket you would net about 20 bux max.

Also, if you not self employee and not required by your employer to provide your own ammunition to destroy said Hard Drives you can deduct it.

[MrUgly]

Actually, I just spoke with one of my firms Accountant/Lawyers. It could be argued that you used the ammo for a legitimate function of your job, the destruction of client data. Of course, to survive an audit, you'd want to have before/after pics and a certificate of destruction.

And no, I'm not BS'ing. I read this thread and walked across the hall and grabbed Mike. I work in Center City Philly in an accounting firm.

*However*, let me tag my 230 disclosure:

IRS Circular 230 Disclosure: This document was not intended or written to be used, and it cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding federal, state or local tax penalties, or for promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein

[djturnz]

When I had my taxes done last year, the lady was asking all sorts of questions about over looked deductions. One of which had something to do with work related stress therapy. I asked her if shooting to releive stress counted as a deduction. SHe said no. Oh well.

Maybe start your own private security company with no clients and write off practice expenses. Joking of course.