Is this Trip a Write-off?

Question

I work in News. I was going on a trip to a Bowl Game with my wife. now, my company has asked me to report/blog my experiences. Can I now count thia as a business trip and deduct all/some of my expenses? Thanks.

Answer 1

Yes, except for you wife's expenses such as airfare, meals and entertainment. The hotel bill can be fully deducted.

Answer 2

If I were to fly to Hawaii, booked my trip and then my employer asked me to go visit our Hawaii operations to do some work, I sure and heck would get them to pay some of my airfare and all the additional travel expenses.

Initial planned vacation or not, I ended up working.

If they will not reimburse me I would get the request in writing and consider taking something on my 1040, especially any additional incremental expenses.

Answer 3

Yes, for your expenses, not your wife's. For shared expenses like hotel room, you can deduct what a single would have cost, which is probably most of the bill. For meals, airfare, etc, just yours. Rental car - you'd have had one anyway just for you, so yes.

Have fun.

Answer 4

I would say "No".

The way you stated it, your company has asked you to report your experiences after you booked the trip.

To be deductable, expenses must be "required" by your company. This does not sound "required".

If the IRS questions this deduction, I would guess that they would throw it out without even a second thought.

Answer 5

Also, keep in ming that your meals and entertainment expenses would only be deductible up to 50% of the amount paid.