Can I deduct my husband's travel expenses as well as mine for rental property management/maintenance related travel?

Forum|Forum|7 years ago
June 1, 2019
1 reply
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My rental property is in my name. However, my husband came with me to help me with management and maintenance activities on the property, such as meeting with property management companies, making some repairs, purchasing/replacing needed items/supplies, and painting a room. Can I deduct his travel expenses and meals too?

Also, part of the trip was for managing/maintaining the rental property, and part of it was to visit family in the state. Am I correct that I can only count the days managing the property, and deduct that amount from the total travel expenses and only claim that amount on my taxes (e.g. for airfare, rental car, meals while at the rental property, etc.)?

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david-america

Employee

Yes, you can deduct airfare, car rental, hotel stay, and even meals. Expenses to bring the kids along with you on your business trip are not deductible. IRS website will provide greater details to what percentage you can deduct for meals and even entertainment while travel on business. Your traveling partner, or spouse, for example, should have his/her name on the property deed too in order for you to account for traveling expenses. Obviously you can only deduct reasonably for yourself and your business partner(s), but not the rest of your family members, such as the children, grand pas and mas, aunts, uncles, or even the family dog. Booking hotel stays nearby Disney's or Universal Studios too will likely trigger audits, so be prepared with your Quickbooks to justify additions to your travel expenses. If your rental is in a different locale to where you'll be checking in, be prepared to justify that as well.

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MarienkaeferAuthor

Employee

Thanks very much, David! So if my husband's name is not on the deed for the property, I cannot deduct his travel expenses, even if he helped with the management/maintenance of the property during our trip?