(a) Yes? (b) No?

(a) Yes sure, why not.

Like most tax questions, we call this a question of fact. If you purchased the toilet paper to earn an income then yes it is deductible.

However, let’s be careful. If you purchased toilet paper and were planning to resell it then you could have a problem. Depending on how deep we get into this toilet paper crisis the selling of toilet paper could be a “crime”, especially if you are price gouging. And if it is a crime then the costs might not be deductible but the revenue might be taxable. It depends on your jurisdiction.

On the other hand, if you were buying toilet paper for your team, contacts or customers to use it is just fine and deductible. There are limits on how much toilet paper or any benefit you can give to your team but essentially you can buy and use it as a promotional giveaway or as an employment benefit. Just keep a straight face as you hand it out.