What it helps you decide
Separate out-of-pocket cost, lost contribution, and an editable tax effect.
Promotion economics
See what a gifted product actually costs your business.
Separate cash outlay, labor, foregone retail contribution, and an editable tax-effect estimate for samples, trades, and influencer gifts.
Start with the example
The values already filled in are a working example—not a recommendation.
- 1Choose the closest starting point.
- 2Replace the example with your real details.
- 3Read the live result and its important limits.
Your numbers
Gifted units and costs
Use the filled example first. Then replace each field with a measured value or your best current estimate.
Step 1Answer one question at a time. Your example values stay available.
Important limit
A tax deduction is not a reimbursement.
Tax treatment depends on facts, entity type, jurisdiction, documentation, whether goods are promotional, donated, bartered, or personally gifted, and whether labor is deductible. Do not deduct retail value based on this tool; review the transaction with a qualified tax professional.
About this free pricing, tax & e-commerce tool
How to use the Barter, Trade & Sample True Cost
Separate out-of-pocket cost, lost contribution, and an editable tax effect. The calculator runs privately in your browser and is designed to make the assumptions behind the answer visible.
What to have ready
Gather current product cost, paid and owner labor, packaging, selling fees, shipping or fulfillment costs, and the price or margin you want to test.
Key inputs: Units given away or traded; Product COGS per unit; Incremental labor per unit; Total packaging and delivery; Normal retail price per unit.
How to use the result
Use the result to compare scenarios and find the cost or assumption driving the decision. Recheck the plan with taxes, overhead, returns, and channel terms that apply to you.
Ready for the connected version?
Turn the calculation into a repeatable workflow.
Batch Scale connects recipes, materials, costs, inventory, production, sales, and your storefront in one workspace.