The small business tax world offers many benefits. Software programs and other subscriptions that you have for your business DO apply as deductions to your business expenses.

Originally, the cost of software and other such subscriptions had to be deducted only through depreciated cost over a full three year period. Now, Section 179 of the Tax Law allows for you to use the full purchase price of all the shelf software that you use for your business all at one time, during the year that you purchased it.

The business that offers things like magazine subscriptions in their waiting rooms, for example, did not have their rules changed. These can still be deducted in the year that you purchased them against your taxable business income.

Do keep records of purchases and only deduction those software programs and subscriptions that are specifically business related.