Quote:
Originally Posted by Herbpeddler
How about if you go on vacation, but work 6-8 hours a day because otherwise you'd lose your business? This is the story of my life. I haven't had a real vacation in 20 years. I always have to take my work with me and work while everyone else plays. Wouldn't I be entitled to some deductions of the cost of the vacation?
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Some deductions yes. But only for the things that can generate revenue for your business. (i.e. you need internet access and the hotel charges for it. You visit a potential client in a new area, so you can deduct the mileage, food etc)
The best bet is to travel for business purposes and then extend the stay for personal reasons, but only the hotel and food costs for the business part would be deductible.
"If the trip is primarily personal in nature you can't deduct any of your airfare, hotel, or other traveling expenses. This is true even if you engage in some business activities while you are there. (You may be able to deduct particular expenses you incur while you're at your destination if they otherwise qualify as
business deductions; for example, cab fare to an isolated business appointment.)
The primary purpose of a trip is determined by looking at the facts and circumstances of each case. An important factor is the amount of time you spent on personal activities during the trip as compared to the amount of time spent on activities directly relating to business. Travel expenses
outside the U.S. may be further limited if part of your trip is for personal purposes."
Business Travel Expenses
"Trip Primarily for Business
You can deduct all of your travel expenses if your trip was entirely business related. If your trip was primarily for business and, while at your business destination, you extended your stay for a vacation, made a personal side trip, or had other personal activities, you can deduct your business-related travel expenses. These expenses include the travel costs of getting to and from your business destination and any business-related expenses at your business destination.
Example.
You work in Atlanta and take a business trip to New Orleans in May. On your way home, you stop in Mobile to visit your parents. You spend $1,999 for the 9 days you are away from home for travel, meals, lodging, and other travel expenses. If you had not stopped in Mobile, you would have been gone only 6 days, and your total cost would have been $1,699. You can deduct $1,699 for your trip, including the cost of round-trip transportation to and from New Orleans. The deduction for your meals is subject to the 50% limit on meals mentioned earlier."
Publication 463 (2010), Travel, Entertainment, Gift, and Car Expenses
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