Can Travel Expenses Be Deducted From Your Taxes? Our Expert Weighs In - Explore (2024)

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Can Travel Expenses Be Deducted From Your Taxes? Our Expert Weighs In - Explore (1)

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Traveling is one of life's greatest joys, but it often comes with a hefty price tag. As tax season approaches, many wonder whether these expenses can lighten their fiscal load. To shed light on this matter, we turned to Brittney Suttle, a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and the owner of Knies & Co.,for an exclusive interview. Specializing in virtual bookkeeping and tax services for female entrepreneurs, Suttle is well-versed in navigating the complexities of tax deductions related to travel.

When it comes to deducting travel expenses from your taxes, the distinctions between personal and business travel are paramount. "Typically, unless it's for business travel, there is little you can deduct," explains Suttle. For personal travel, deductions are primarily limited to miles driven for medical reasons or charitable purposes. However, for small business owners or freelancers, the scope for deductions widens significantly to include airfare, lodging, meals, and more, provided these expenses are incurred in the pursuit of business. According to the IRS, "Travel expenses are the ordinary and necessary expenses of traveling away from home for your business, profession, or job."

If you're employed by a company, the best route is to seek reimbursem*nt for any business-related travel expenses directly from your employer. Brittney Suttle advises this is because "unreimbursed employee expenses currently are not tax-deductible." However,the landscape is different for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and digital nomads. They can directly deduct qualifying travel expenses from their business income, provided these expenses are "ordinary and necessary" for their business operations.

Navigating personal and business travel deductions

In contrast, the waters of personal travel deductions are a little murkier. According to Suttle, most personal travel costs do not qualify for deductions unless tied to medical or charitable activities, and even then, you must itemize your deductions to benefit. For proprietors, however, blending personal and business travel can sometimes work in their favor. "If you're a business owner and take a business trip where some of the days are spent on personal travel, there are instances where the full travel costs can be deducted via the business," Suttle notes.

When deducting business travel expenses, there's technically no cap on the amount. Yet, the criteria for what constitutes a deductible expense are strict. "It must be an ordinary and necessary business travel expense," Suttle advises. Moreover, the travel must occur away from your tax home for longer than a day's work. The IRS identifies your tax homeas the city or general area where your business or work is located.

She cautions against writing off trips with little to no relevance to your business. "For instance, I can't go to Sedona, take some photos on my iPhone for social media, and call it a business expense.Sedona has nothing to do with my business nor my brand, so it wouldn't be necessary," warnsSuttle. This would be considered a lavish expense for personal purposes,whereas travel expenses for legitimate business activities — like hosting a team retreat in Sedona, Arizona–would be considered deductible.

Getting approval from the IRS for your travel write-offs

Can Travel Expenses Be Deducted From Your Taxes? Our Expert Weighs In - Explore (3)

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Ultimately,proper documentation is crucial for deducting travel expenses. You must keep detailed records of each expense, including dates, amounts, places of travel, and the business purpose of the expense. Receipts are required for lodging, regardless of the amount, but for other expenses, receipts are required only for expenditures of $75 or more.These expenses are typically reported on Form 1040, Schedule C for self-employed individuals, or Form 2106 for employees.

For domestic travel, the rules are fairly straightforward. However, international travel requires a closer look at the percentage of time spent on business activities versus personal activities to determine the deductible amount.For expenses related to conventions, the IRS requires that the convention be directly related to your business and held for business purposes. Additionally, for cruises, there arespecific limitations and reporting rules, including a cap on deductions (under $2,000) and a requirement that the ship be a U.S. registry.

Without question, Brittney Suttle's insights into tax deductions highlight the importance of understanding the complex tax laws that apply to different types of travel. As always, when dealing with tax matters, especially those as nuanced as mixed personal and business travel, Suttle suggests consulting with a tax professional. Her expertise, which she also frequently shares on her Instagram, underscores the tailored approach needed for each individual or business entity, ensuring that deductions are maximized within the bounds of the law. Here's to smooth travels and a hassle-free tax season!

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Can Travel Expenses Be Deducted From Your Taxes? Our Expert Weighs In - Explore (2024)

FAQs

Can Travel Expenses Be Deducted From Your Taxes? Our Expert Weighs In - Explore? ›

Travel expenses are only deductible on the days in which the work-related event occurs. “For example, a taxi ride to the meeting, train to a conference, or plane ride to the event [are deductible],” says Adams. “Lodging, much like travel expenses, is deductible on the days in which business is set to occur.”

Can travel expenses be deducted from taxes? ›

Travel expenses are tax-deductible only if they were incurred to conduct business-related activities. Only ordinary and necessary travel expenses are deductible; expenses that are deemed unreasonable, lavish, or extravagant are not deductible.

Does the IRS audit travel expenses? ›

Those looking to deduct business trip expenses are running a risk as the IRS frequently disallows these expenses on audit. It does so even if the taxpayer maintains detailed bank statements and credit card statements that detail the date, amount and location of the expenses.

Can I deduct travel expenses for looking at investment property? ›

Rental property travel expenses are a deduction that many real estate investors can claim to reduce taxable net income. Common travel expense deductions for rental property include auto, travel expenses to visit a rental property in another location, and meals and lodging.

Can authors write off travel expenses? ›

If you are a professional writer — meaning you make your living by writing — you are considered a business by the IRS. And business travel — such as for conferences and seminars, film premieres, production meetings and research — is allowed. That's good news.

What are the three requirements for a traveling expense deduction? ›

This travel must be overnight and more than 100 miles from your home. Expenses must be ordinary and necessary. This deduction is limited to the regular federal per diem rate (for lodging, meals, and incidental expenses) and the standard mileage rate (for car expenses) plus any parking fees, ferry fees, and tolls.

What kind of travel expenses are tax-deductible? ›

Deductible travel expenses include:

Travel by airplane, train, bus or car between your home and your business destination. Fares for taxis or other types of transportation between an airport or train station and a hotel, or from a hotel to a work location.

What raises red flags with the IRS? ›

Too many deductions taken are the most common self-employed audit red flags. The IRS will examine whether you are running a legitimate business and making a profit or just making a bit of money from your hobby. Be sure to keep receipts and document all expenses as it can make things a bit ore awkward if you don't.

Who does the IRS allow to deduct travel and transportation expenses? ›

Business travel deductions are available when employees must travel away from their tax home or main place of work for business reasons. The travel period must be substantially longer than an ordinary day's work and a need for sleep or rest to meet the demands the work while away.

What is the $75 rule? ›

You need receipts for all expenses, regardless of amount, except expenditures that are less than $75 for1. · entertainment, · overnight travel, and.

Can I write off travel to rental property? ›

Travel Must Be Ordinary and Necessary

To be deductible, your travel expenses must be ordinary and necessary. This means that the trip and the expenses you incur must be helpful and appropriate for your rental activity, not necessarily indispensable. Traveling to a rental property is not always ordinary and necessary.

What is the IRS standard mileage rate? ›

The standard mileage rate for transportation or travel expenses is 65.5 cents per mile for all miles of business use (business standard mileage rate).

Can you deduct rental expenses? ›

As a cash basis taxpayer you generally deduct your rental expenses in the year you pay them. If you use an accrual method, you generally report income when you earn it, rather than when you receive it and you deduct your expenses when you incur them, rather than when you pay them.

What is not considered a travel expense? ›

However, if you're traveling for a work-related conference, everything from your airfare or mileage to your hotel and food can count as business-related travel expenses. Personal expenses, such as a new pair of shoes, don't count, even if you're traveling when you make the purchase.

Can you write off Amazon Prime? ›

Hi, as long as it is wholly a business expense then yes you can claim it.

Can I write off travel as a photographer? ›

Travel expenses related to photography assignments, including airfare, hotel accommodations, car rentals, and meals, are deductible. However, these must be directly related to the business and not personal travel.

How much can I claim for business travel expenses? ›

Transportation expenses on a business trip are deductible

If you drive your own vehicle, you can usually take actual costs or the IRS standard mileage rate. For 2023 the rate is 65.5 cents per mile. You also can add tolls and parking costs onto your deduction. This amount increases to 67 cents per mile for 2024.

What is the IRS rule for expense reimbursem*nt? ›

There must be a business reason for the expense. The expense must be in connection with the performance of services as an employee. The expense must be substantiated or deemed substantiated. There must be receipts and invoices that document the nature and amount of the expenditure(s).

Can you write off a luggage purchase as a business expense? ›

Is Luggage a Business Expense? Yes, luggage is one of the many business expenses you'll have during a business trip. This includes purchasing new luggage for business trips and any fees you pay to check luggage.

What are the IRS rules about per diem? ›

Per diem rates can be tied to daily lodging, meals, miles driven, or incidental expenses. Per diem rates for meals and lodging are based on geographical location. Per diem rates for mileage are set by the IRs; for 2023, the mileage rate is $0.655 per mile, and for 2024, $0.67 per mile.

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