I'm wondering if anyone can help me with a tax deduction question. We picked up several publications from the IRS, but dh and I interpret them differently.
Here's the scenario. We will be traveling for three weeks this summer in the mid-west, checking out communities we would like to live in that have jobs available for dh. We will fly into Chicago and then drive through 8 states before flying back home (there are 13 companies he could work for that we are visiting) He may or may not arrange to visit the plants/speak to someone.
After reading through the publications dh says - we can deduct all our expenses. I say maybe deduct his flight only and his meals/expenses surrounding a plant visit/interview only, but even that I'm not sure about since we will also be sightseeing etc. I see an actual interview as being required, he says since the whole purpose of our trip is because of a possible job change everything for all 4 of us should be deductible. He says we are "business partners" in this decision. I say he's full of it.
Does anyone know a simple answer to this? (like I said before, we've already read the publication and differ greatly on our interpretation)
Here's the section from Publication 529 from the IRS (pg 5)
"If you travel to an area and, while there, you look for a new job in your present occupation, you may be able to deduct travel expenses to and from the area. You can deduct the travel expenses if the trip is primarily to look for a new job. The amount of time you spend in looking for work is important in determining whether the trip is primarily personal or is primarily to look for a new job."
Help!
Here's the scenario. We will be traveling for three weeks this summer in the mid-west, checking out communities we would like to live in that have jobs available for dh. We will fly into Chicago and then drive through 8 states before flying back home (there are 13 companies he could work for that we are visiting) He may or may not arrange to visit the plants/speak to someone.
After reading through the publications dh says - we can deduct all our expenses. I say maybe deduct his flight only and his meals/expenses surrounding a plant visit/interview only, but even that I'm not sure about since we will also be sightseeing etc. I see an actual interview as being required, he says since the whole purpose of our trip is because of a possible job change everything for all 4 of us should be deductible. He says we are "business partners" in this decision. I say he's full of it.
Does anyone know a simple answer to this? (like I said before, we've already read the publication and differ greatly on our interpretation)
Here's the section from Publication 529 from the IRS (pg 5)
"If you travel to an area and, while there, you look for a new job in your present occupation, you may be able to deduct travel expenses to and from the area. You can deduct the travel expenses if the trip is primarily to look for a new job. The amount of time you spend in looking for work is important in determining whether the trip is primarily personal or is primarily to look for a new job."
Help!
