Social media is full of questionable “tax advice” about the deductibility of travel expenses for family members. A quick scroll through TikTok or X (the artist formerly known as Twitter) will produce multiple “sources” proclaiming that all you have to do is discuss business over dinner or take a few “marketing photos” with your family, and now your vacation is fully deductible.
Can you deduct travel expenses for your family? The answer, of course, is: it depends. But probably not.
Let’s look at an example.
Shannon goes to multiple tax conferences throughout the year, sometimes in exotic destinations like Reno, NV or Cleveland, OH. Her husband likes to come along, but he absolutely not interested in the tax content. Any expenses that Shannon would have incurred even if he hadn’t come along are fully deductible. If Shannon drives to Reno, she would be paying for that mileage no matter how many people are in the car, so the mileage is 100% deductible. If Shannon flies, her plane ticket is a deductible expense, but her husband’s is not. Since you can’t book half a hotel room, the full cost of a single-occupancy room will be a deductible expense, but any additional fees incurred to add a second person to the room will not.
For more exciting facts about business travel and other common (and commonly misunderstood) tax topics, check out our Tax Stuff You Thought You Knew session in this year’s Tax Toolbox seminar.