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Business Trips - tax deductible

by gpx
8 replies
Hi, so I run several online businesses in the tech industry and I want to start traveling more to places like California, Miami, San Francisco, Las Vegas, etc... So I know I can deduct my travel costs as a business expense if I'm travelling to go for a conference related to my industry so anything to do with tech or even marketing etc, pretty much whatever can help my business as my accountant explained to me

But what is the best way to find conferences in the areas I want to travel to that are actually worth going to etc I know theres sites like:

AllConferences.Com Conventions Events Meetings

But it seems pretty hard to actually figure out which ones are any good, and also get the dates just right etc does anyone know any better sites or have any recommendation based on their experiences? Any advice would be much appreciated, thanks!
#business #deductible #tax #trips
  • Profile picture of the author RhysEvans
    AffiliateSummit.com would cover all those cities and around the world.
    affiliateworldconferences.com - similar conferences around Asia and USA
    iGaming Super Show - Gaming Affiliates
    igbaffiliate.com - UK affiliate conferences
    Pubcon.com - IM publisher conference
    digitalsummit.com - Digital Marketing
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    • Profile picture of the author gpx
      Originally Posted by RhysEvans View Post

      AffiliateSummit.com would cover all those cities and around the world.
      affiliateworldconferences.com - similar conferences around Asia and USA
      iGaming Super Show - Gaming Affiliates
      igbaffiliate.com - UK affiliate conferences
      Pubcon.com - IM publisher conference
      digitalsummit.com - Digital Marketing
      Ah very cool, keep the suggestions coming! And I'd imagine being from the USA it would be very hard to justify going to a conference in another country unless you can really make the argument that the conference was a once in a lifetime experience

      Another problem seems to be some conferences are really short so like a day or two, so I guess you have to add another conference to make it closer to atleast a 5 day trip
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      • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
        As far as finding conferences, Google Alerts are your friends. So are trade organizations - get on their mailing lists.

        As far as duration goes, check back with your accountant. I used to attend engineering conferences, and always tried to schedule a free day or two on either side of the conference. I usually cited either travel scheduling or better fares as the reason. Given the current state of air travel, allowing time for connection problems should be a no-brainer. If the conference happens to be someplace fun, like Miami or San Fran, oh well...
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      • Profile picture of the author Sid Hale
        Originally Posted by gpx View Post

        And I'd imagine being from the USA it would be very hard to justify going to a conference in another country unless you can really make the argument that the conference was a once in a lifetime experience
        Your assumption would be incorrect.
        You don't typically have to "justify" business-related travel with regard to location.

        Many factors go into the decisions related to which conferences to attend and most of those factors are subjective in nature... a matter of opinion. You might decide to attend a conference in the U.K. simply because a business associate is attending that conference (vs. the same/similar conference in the U.S)

        Another factor is timing/scheduling. A conference that is available in different locations (east coast vs. west coast, U.S. vs. New Zealand, etc) may not offer a conference in your geographical area in a timeframe that fits your scheduling needs. Which business-related conference to attend is a business decision, and the taxing authorities don't try to second-guess those decisions.
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        Sid Hale
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        • Profile picture of the author gpx
          Originally Posted by Sid Hale View Post

          Your assumption would be incorrect.
          You don't typically have to "justify" business-related travel with regard to location.

          Many factors go into the decisions related to which conferences to attend and most of those factors are subjective in nature... a matter of opinion. You might decide to attend a conference in the U.K. simply because a business associate is attending that conference (vs. the same/similar conference in the U.S)

          Another factor is timing/scheduling. A conference that is available in different locations (east coast vs. west coast, U.S. vs. New Zealand, etc) may not offer a conference in your geographical area in a timeframe that fits your scheduling needs. Which business-related conference to attend is a business decision, and the taxing authorities don't try to second-guess those decisions.
          That make's a lot of sense never thought about it from that angle, the different people attending is a good excuse as well as timing/scheduling. Very helpful, thanks!
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      • Profile picture of the author RhysEvans
        Originally Posted by gpx View Post

        Ah very cool, keep the suggestions coming! And I'd imagine being from the USA it would be very hard to justify going to a conference in another country unless you can really make the argument that the conference was a once in a lifetime experience

        Another problem seems to be some conferences are really short so like a day or two, so I guess you have to add another conference to make it closer to atleast a 5 day trip
        Well I live in New Zealand and all those conferences are in the USA or Asia. I don't know how it works in the USA but I can claim my flights, transfers, hotels, food and any 'entertainment' expenses while at the conference or traveling to and fro. If I can justify why I went there for business then the Tax man can't really complain. Just keep all your receipts and if you meet people there and go out for some entertainment, keep a log of your relationship with them and what was the reason for 'entertaining them'

        Now say I then go on holiday for 2 weeks after I simply pay the hotel myself but any other things such as internet access, business expenses and the original flights can still be claimed while traveling for personal gain as my business wouldn't work if I wasn't checking emails or fulfilling orders.

        And just to add your point about making a long trip then that's not a reason. If your going to be networking for 2 days either side of a 2 day conference then that's a business requirement so it's fine. Staying a week to go skiing with your family isn't the same though
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        • Profile picture of the author williamwhitton
          I have always wondered how that would work with taxes taking trips and what all you could take off.
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        • Profile picture of the author Sid Hale
          LOL - I used to travel to/from New Zealand (south island) 3/4 times per year from east coast U.S.A.


          Originally Posted by RhysEvans View Post

          Well I live in New Zealand and all those conferences are in the USA or Asia. I don't know how it works in the USA but I can claim my flights, transfers, hotels, food and any 'entertainment' expenses while at the conference or traveling to and fro. If I can justify why I went there for business then the Tax man can't really complain. Just keep all your receipts and if you meet people there and go out for some entertainment, keep a log of your relationship with them and what was the reason for 'entertaining them'
          I often booked a flight through Hawaii with connections that allowed me to relax on the beach for 1 day before completing the trip.

          If I flew non-stop, I always arranged to get to Christchurch at least 2 nights early to allow me time to "overcome jet lag" before having to perform/produce on Monday morning.
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          Sid Hale
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