Making My Turnkey Provider Trip Tax Deductible

[Mark S.]

I've done a little reading on making trips/vacations tax deductible, but I'm still not totally clear. I am going to visit an out-of-state turnkey provider as part of my due diligence process to meet them and see their operation. They are about 6.5 hours away from me. I am leaving on a Thursday, driving 6.5 hours, and staying the night at a local AirBnB. On that Friday, I am meeting with the provider in the morning for several hours. When our meeting concludes, I will be checking out the town, staying over at the same AirBnB, and driving home that Saturday. I know there are some requirements on the number of hours of business activity, etc. I believe all my mileage is deductible. I want to confirm this and see whether meals and lodging are also deductible. I, of course, will save all receipts. Anyone want to take a stab at this?

[Brandon Hall]

@Mark S. I'm on the other side of the coin. Everything I've ever read and the court cases I've followed have dictated that these expenses are not deductible unless you actually purchase rental property in the area in which you travel to. Until then, the costs are capitalized and just "hang out" on your balance sheet.

Otherwise you'd be able to travel anywhere in the world and "look at rental properties" and deduct your costs. 

That said, we sometimes deduct the cost if we can find reason to do so.