Travel Expenses for Investment

[Jennifer A.]

Hi, We are purchasing an out of state property. We flew out to the property. We are trying to close by Dec 31st but it looks like it will close in 2018. Can the travel expenses count as a 2017 business expense even if it closes in 2018? Thanks!

[Michael Plaks]

@Jennifer A.

If we're talking about purchasing a flip property, and you're already in the flipping business - then yes. If we're talking about purchasing a rental property in the area where you already have another one - the answer is also yes.

But I suspect you're talking about a new rental property in a new area, or maybe even your very first investment property. Then the answer is no. It will have to be added to the purchase cost in 2018 and depreciated.

There was a discussion about this issue here on BP, and my colleague @Brandon Hall explained it very well back then.