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Are your business travel expenses deductible? It's good to know if your travel expenses qualify for deductions, because it can mean more money for you and your business.
Business travel expenses are incurred anytime you spend money on a work-related travel cost. This can include expenses like car rental, airfare, lodging, and even dining or entertainment (if you have to take a client out, for example). Some of these may be tax-deductible and can help your business save some money when Tax Day rolls around.
Here's a general overview of when your business travel expenses are and aren't deductible:
Only for You and Your Trip
Deductible travel expenses only apply for your business when you incur the expenses on a work-related trip that your business pays for. It also only applies to you (or the employee whose trip you paid for), and not any guests or friends who may have tagged along.
For example, if you decide to bring your spouse with you on a work-related trip, then your spouse's expenses are not deductible. The deductions can only apply to your meals and your other costs in the course of your work-related trip.
The "trip" part is important as well. If you are a telecommuter or if you work out of a home office, then traveling between your home and a coffee shop where you do your work is not considered a "business trip."
Not Everything Is Deductible
So how are deductible business travel expenses actually defined? Under the Internal Revenue Code, only travel expenses that are "ordinary and necessary" for your business can be deducted.
Note, however, that the IRS has not specifically listed what's considered "ordinary and necessary." Still, there are some common ways to determine whether or not your travel expense fits the bill. Two rules of thumb to remember are:
For more guidance as to what's considered a deductible business travel expense, you may want to consult an experienced tax lawyer near you. Happy traveling, and happy deducting!
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