How to write off the purchase of a client list

[jimlund1636]

I am buying a list of clients to service in my financial services practice. How do I write off, depreciate or amortize the purchase?

[Just-Lisa-Now-]

I've never actually had one of these, but Section 197 intangibles get amortized.

https://www.irs.gov/publications/p535#en_US_2019_publink1000208966

[Sharon92]

Client lists are amortizable, starting with the month of purchase.  They have a 15 year life from that

date.  Therefore, you would take straight-line amortization expense.