Can I deduct qualifying moving expenses from BOTH legs of my two-part relocation trip?

Question

When I relocated early last year, I moved first and took a truckload of personal items and towed my car. Six weeks later, I went for the rest of my family and second car (also towed). Can I claim the qualifying expenses for BOTH legs of the trip? My family also travelled with me on the first trip. Can the plane tickets for their return trip be deducted? How about my plane ticket for returning home for the second trip? My spouse does not meet the time test, but we are filing jointly.

Answer 1

Sorry, you can't deduct more than one trip. You can only deduct the travel expenses (including lodging, not meals) for one trip by you and each family member. Since they were with you on one trip, you can't deduct a second trip. And you can't deduct the ticket back there. It's ok that your spouse doesn't meet the time test ...I'm assuming that your job does. Be sure that you moved the distance. If you're not sure, here's a good way to figure it:

The difference between (1) and (2) is 50 miles or more
(1) # of miles from old home to new workplace
(2) # of miles from old home to old workplace
Check out the IRS topic on moving -see link below.
Hope you're enjoying your new job and new home!

Answer 2

Yes, both legs can be deducted, but you cannot write off the plane ticket unless you can prove that it was cheaper to move in two phases with the plane ticket expense, than the cost of one move, which would require a bigger truck and other larger expenses. Why didn't your employer pick up some of, if not all, your moving expenses? Most good companies do.

Answer 3

You could deduct both portions of the move, but not the plane fares for their return to your old home or your fare for your return.

Answer 4

you can deduct the trip one way for each person in the family plus the costs of moving your things one way plsu up to 30 days of storage of things.