Combining
Business with Pleasure
How Much of a Trip's Cost is Really Deductible?
Our lives keep getting busier and sometimes it’s hard to find the time
to take a vacation, even a short one. Many people find it convenient to
combine a business trip with a few days off for rest and relaxation.
Generally, expenses you pay for a business trip are either fully or
partially deductible on your tax return. Deductible expenses include costs
for meals, lodging, and travel, including airfare and car rental.
Although you cannot deduct meals and lodging expenses on days that are
not devoted to business, the IRS may allow a deduction for the entire cost
of the airfare. You can deduct the cost of the plane ticket as long as the
purpose of the trip is primarily for business—that is, more days are spent
working than relaxing.
Note there are additional, specific limitations for international trips
that are partly for business and partly for personal purposes.
