Vacation as a Tax Write-Off

[Jenny3]

DH and I are going to Orlando in November. I'm a Realtor and the National Association of Realtors (NAR) is holding their Annual Convention & Expo there, so DH and I decided to take advantage and extend the trip to celebrate our 10 yr Anniversary

We'll be flying in Thursday night; I am registered to attend the Convention all day Friday, then we'll be doing our own thing until Tuesday. Here is our rough itinery...

Thursday - fly in, check into hotel (booked through NAR)
Friday - Education sessions, Realtors Expo, then enjoying the Realtors Night Out (NAR has privately reserved all of Universal Islands of Adventure for us for 3.5 hours! I'm so excited!!)
Saturday - still debating but considering doing a Gator Airboat Tour (booked through NAR). May do Aquatica as well.
Sunday - Discovery Cove
Monday - SeaWorld
Tuesday - go home


Anyone know what portions of the trip I can use as a tax write-off? I'm assuming the airline tickets, food, shuttles, hotel, etc but I wasn't sure if I could do it for the entire weekend. My accountant will help me next year, but was curious in the meantime.

TIA!

 

[Sadie22]

Check irs.Gov for information about what can be treated as business expenses. It certainly cannot be for extra days that are a family vacation. I'm sure there will be lots of opinions, but the IRS rules are what counts.

 

[cmwade77]

Check irs.Gov for information about what can be treated as business expenses. It certainly cannot be for extra days that are a family vacation. I'm sure there will be lots of opinions, but the IRS rules are what counts.

I agree with this; although, you may be able to write off the extra hotel days under certain circumstances. Your accountant or tax preparer would be the best source for this.

 

[Jenny3]

I agree with this; although, you may be able to write off the extra hotel days under certain circumstances. Your accountant or tax preparer would be the best source for this.

That's what I most curious about... the extra hotel days/food/shuttles, etc. I know I can't write off Sea World or anything like that (possibly the Gator trip since that will be a group tour with other Realtors and promoted/booked by the Convention).

 

[dzorn]

Is your DH in the same line of work? If not then you would not be able to write any of his expenses off.

This may be helpful
http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc511.html


You may want to also note: the part:

You cannot deduct expenses that are lavish or extravagant or that are for personal purposes. that would include any extra hotel days.


Denise in MI

 

[bkangell1979]

I am an accountant (not a CPA yet, but close), but please consult your local accountant to confirm.

Since the primary purpose for the trip is personal, none of the travel expenses are deductible (I am saying primarily personal because the trip consists of one day of business and three days of personal activity).

All expenses including your meals and hotel while at the NAR would be deductible (note that meals and entertainment are generally 50% deductible).

Probably not what you wanted to hear.... but it is what I would tell my clients.

 

[Jenny3]

Thank you for the info; this is all very helpful! I figured I couldn't deduct any of DH's expenses since he is not an employee or involved in my business. From what I read, I should be able to deduct my flight, registration fees, hotel lodging, meals, tips, shuttles, etc that relate to the convention. We are only going to Orlando because of the convention and figured we would extend the stay for personal reasons. Otherwise, we were considering Niagara Falls or even a cruise for our 10 year.

I will definitely be consulting my accountant; even a portion of this trip as a tax deduction is helpful

 

[Cheshire Figment]

1. Since most of the trip is vacation you cannot write off the air fare and related charges (parking, shuttles, etc.

2. You can only pick up lodging charges for the days that you actually attend educational events. This would be Thursday and Friday nights only (even if you go on the Saturday Tour as it is an optional, non-educational, session).

3. Cost of the event Registration.

4. Out-of-pocket costs for meals for you only from the time you leave home through Saturday Breakfast.

Mike (CPA Retired but still doing taxes professionally)

 

[Jenny3]

Thanks Mike!

 

[Nomad70]

When I would travel on government orders (travel expenses were reimburse) I was able to claim all food, travel and most incidentals, toothpaste, shampoo, hotel, car rental, gas, EXCEPT, for example, I had to purchase a coat one time because I did not prepare for the weather. When I turned in my paperwork they noted that and said it would not be a covered expense. They didn't cover a book I purchased either, but they covered the bottle of water and gum. With this said, none of it was tax exempt. In your case, I would only use your expense for the travel and food for that day you were 'working'.

 

[ICF]

When I would travel on government orders (travel expenses were reimburse) I was able to claim all food, travel and most incidentals, toothpaste, shampoo, hotel, car rental, gas, ....

Why in the world would they reimburse for shapmoo, toothpaste and the like....that make no sense??

Food, gas, hotel, car rental and that make sense....but the rest is just strange.