According to the IRS, these are not allowable deductions for you since the volunteer work was only done by your wife. The test for the use of your car in order for you to deduct: The amounts must beunreimbursed, anddirectly connected with the services you gave, andincurred only because of the services you gave, andnot personal, living or family expenses.Meals are also only deductible for the person who provides the actual service as a volunteer.The expenses cannot be personal or family.

A

Anonymous

Solved

I drove my wife to Mexico for her to do charitable work; her meals & hotel were covered, travel & my meals were not - what is deductible?

Forum|Forum|7 years ago
June 3, 2019
2 replies
0 views

No text available

TurboTax Free Edition Online

Best answer by DanO

According to the IRS, these are not allowable deductions for you since the volunteer work was only done by your wife.

The test for the use of your car in order for you to deduct:

The amounts must be

unreimbursed, and
directly connected with the services you gave, and
incurred only because of the services you gave, and
not personal, living or family expenses.

Meals are also only deductible for the person who provides the actual service as a volunteer.

The expenses cannot be personal or family.

A

Anonymous

Quick follow-up: I drive her sometimes a couple of times a year so we have room for donated materials that she wouldn't be able to take on a flight. Once there, because her expenses are covered, there is no problem about lodging for me. However, what about my meals while down there, effectively waiting to drive her/us back to the US? I am disabled & limited in my ability to contribute to the work down there, but still function as a "home base" and run errands as needed or requested while they are in the field.

PS - as of this year, the World Vision Int'l leader there said they will also pay for my meals in future trips. The above scenario was for 2015 & 2016.

Thanks again...

D

DanOAnswer

According to the IRS, these are not allowable deductions for you since the volunteer work was only done by your wife.

The test for the use of your car in order for you to deduct:

The amounts must be

unreimbursed, and
directly connected with the services you gave, and
incurred only because of the services you gave, and
not personal, living or family expenses.

Meals are also only deductible for the person who provides the actual service as a volunteer.

The expenses cannot be personal or family.

A

Anonymous

Thanks TTDO!!

Quick follow-up:  I drive her sometimes a couple of times a year so we have room for donated materials that she wouldn't be able to take on a flight.  Once there, because her expenses are covered, there is no problem about lodging for me.  However, what about my meals while down there, effectively waiting to drive her/us back to the US?  I am disabled & limited in my ability to contribute to the work down there, but still function as a "home base" and run errands as needed or requested while they are in the field.

PS - as of this year, the World Vision Int'l leader there said they will also pay for my meals in future trips.  The above scenario was for 2015 & 2016.

Thanks again...

Another "Dan"