What expense category is Staples?

Staples is classified asEvent expenses·Fully deductible

Staples is a national office supply retailer offering office supplies, furniture, technology, printing services, and shipping across 900+ stores and online.

Staples is a leading office supply and business services retailer serving small businesses, enterprises, and individual consumers. Product categories include paper, ink, toner, pens, notebooks, office furniture, computers and peripherals, cleaning supplies, and breakroom items. Service offerings include in-store and online printing, shipping, and tech support. Businesses can open a Staples Business Account for volume discounts, spending management tools, and free next-day delivery on orders over $35. In an event expenses context, Staples is commonly used for printing marketing materials, purchasing supplies, or acquiring tech and furniture. Note: Staples purchases span both operating and capital expense categories depending on item type and cost.

How businesses classify Staples

Event expensesMost common100%

100% of transactions classified under Event expenses

Tax details

Fully deductible

Capital vs. Operating

Operating expense — de minimis safe harbor election for items under $2,500; capital expenditure for furniture/equipment over $2,500, depreciated over useful life

Depreciation

Computers and equipment over $2,500 are depreciated under MACRS (5-year for computers, 7-year for office furniture). Section 179 expensing is available for eligible equipment and furniture purchases.

Section 179

Eligible for Section 179 deduction

Documentation tips

Split Staples purchases by category at checkout if possible — office supplies (deductible immediately) versus computers or furniture over $2,500 (capitalized) should be coded separately in your books.
Leverage the de minimis safe harbor election to immediately expense any single item purchased for under $2,500, avoiding the need to capitalize and depreciate smaller equipment.
Printing costs for event marketing materials (flyers, banners, signage) are fully deductible as advertising under IRC §162 — retain Staples print order invoices with a note on the event.
Use a Staples Business Account to receive itemized monthly statements, making it easier to categorize and document purchases for tax purposes.
Section 179 expensing is available for computers, printers, and qualifying furniture purchased at Staples — consult your CPA to maximize first-year deductions on larger purchases.

Business insights

Average spend

$50–$500/month for office supplies; one-time purchases of $500–$5,000+ for furniture or technology

Common industries

General businessEducationHealthcareLegal servicesReal estateManufacturingRetailNonprofits

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