Can you deduct Facebook ads for affiliate income?

Usually, yes: if you’re running affiliate marketing as a real business, the cost of Facebook/Meta ads used to promote that business is often deductible as an ordinary and necessary business expense.

A few caveats:

• If the activity is more like a hobby than a business, deductions may be limited or unavailable.
• If the ads are partly personal or only partly for the affiliate business, only the business-use portion should be deducted.
• If you operate as a sole proprietor or a single-member LLC taxed as a sole proprietor, these costs are commonly reported as a business advertising expense on Schedule C.
• Keep invoices, receipts, ad-account records, and documentation showing what the ads were for.

Tax treatment can depend on your facts and can change, so it’s a good idea to confirm with a CPA or tax professional before filing.