涉税名词一起学 | 税前扣除系列（3） 成本和费用的区别是什么？

Core Viewpoint - The article clarifies the distinction between "cost" and "expense" in a business context, emphasizing that costs are directly related to the production of goods or services, while expenses are necessary for maintaining overall business operations [6][8]. Group 1: Definition of Cost and Expense - "Cost" refers to direct expenditures associated with producing a product, such as raw materials, labor, and equipment used in production [4]. - "Expense" encompasses the operational costs required to run a business, including advertising, salaries of sales personnel, and other overheads that are not directly tied to the production of a specific product [5][6]. Group 2: Tax Regulations - According to the "Implementation Regulations of the Corporate Income Tax Law of the People's Republic of China," costs include sales costs, goods costs, and business expenditures incurred during production activities [8]. - The same regulations define expenses as those incurred in sales, management, and finance, excluding any costs already included in the cost calculations [8]. Group 3: Future Learning Opportunities - The article indicates that future content will cover more about tax deductions, including distinctions between revenue-related and capital-related expenditures [9].