Business Travel Tax Tips

If you travel much of the year for business, you probably are already well versed in which expenses are deductible and which are not, but it never hurts to do an occasional review as tax laws are well-known for changing.  Here are some business travel tax tips:

Like everything involving taxes, there are rules to follow.  Food and lodging expenses are generally deductible when away from home for business purposes.  This may be particularly beneficial for self-employed individuals who travel extensively.

The IRS requires that lodging expenses (and other expenses of $75 or more) be substantiated by records or other evidence. Acceptable records include diaries, logs, receipts, paid bills and expense reports. The records should disclose the amount, date, place and essential character of each expense. Diaries and logs should be notated close to the time of the expense; newly created diary, log and calendar entries made months (or years) later when the IRS requests documentation in an audit are less likely to pass muster than those that were prepared when the travel and expenses occurred.

•    Keep good records of your travel expenses.
•    Document the business purpose and the expected business benefit.
•    Retain your travel itinerary to document the business activity while away.

Travel expenses are deductible only if the individual is away from his or her “tax home” for more than one business day. “Tax home” usually means the individual’s regular place of business.

Meal expenses are only deductible if the trip is overnight or long enough that there is a need to stop for sleep or rest in order to properly perform one’s duties. The amount of the meal expenses must be substantiated, but instead of keeping records of the actual cost of meal expenses, a “standard meal allowance” ranging from $46 to $71 per day can generally be used, depending on where and when the individual travels. Generally, the deduction for unreimbursed business meals is limited to 50% of the cost that would otherwise be deductible.

Lodging expenses must be substantiated with actual receipts and are 100% deductible.  Meals included in lodging expenses, such as room service or dining costs charged to a hotel room, must be separately identified, since meals have the 50% limitation noted above.

Taking the Spouse Along? – Generally, deductions are denied for travel expenses paid or incurred for a spouse, dependent or employee of the taxpayer on business unless the:

(1)    The spouse or dependent is an employee of the taxpayer, and
(2)    The travel of the spouse, dependent or employee is for a bona fide business purpose, and
(3)    The expenses would otherwise be deductible by the spouse, dependent or employee.

Strategy – The law allows a deduction for the single rate for lodging, and there is frequently no rate difference between one and two occupants for a room. Thus, virtually the entire lodging expenses for an accompanying spouse will be deductible.  When traveling by car, the law does not require any allocation because the spouse is also traveling in the vehicle. Thus, if traveling by vehicle, the entire cost of the transportation would be deductible. This generally also applies to taxis at the destination. The only substantial cost that is not allowed is the costs of the spouse’s meals that, even if they were deductible, would be reduced by the 50% rule. If traveling by air or rail, the cost of the spouse’s tickets is also not deductible.

Have questions about business travel expenses? Give us, Bressler & Company, a call at 559.924.1225.