Deducting a flight as a tax write off..?

Question

can i do this? im a computer consultant and will be fixing a computer when im away.

Answer 1

if you're a 1099, then yes, your airfare would be considered a business expense and is tax deductible.

Answer 2

Expenses for a consultant  can be used to offset earnings

Answer 3

If the PRINCIPAL purpose of the trip is business, sure.  However nobody would pay for a simple computer repair by flying someone in since you can get competent help pretty much anywhere.  Building out a new network, or installing a complex application server, maybe.  But not for a simple computer repair.

Travel costs can ONLY be deducted if the principal purpose of the trip is business.  If the principal purpose is personal, you can deduct the portion of meals and lodging directly related to the business activity but NONE of the travel costs.

Answer 4

It depends on the primary purpose of the trip.  If you are going to visit family, and oh, by the way, fixing mom's computer while you are there, then no.  If you have a client in another city and they have a major problem and you are going there to take care of it, then yes.

Don't try to write off $800 in expenses for a trip where you make income of $200, or for a trip that's primarily a vacation but also part business.

Answer 5

Expanding on the answers given by Judy and Boston, if a trip is primarily (ie: over 50%) business the business portion is deductible.  If the trip is primarily personal, no costs are deductible.

As an example, if you go to Orlando for 5 days and spend 3 days on business and 2 days going to theme parks, 60% of your costs are deductible.   If it was 2 days business and 3 days theme parks, zero is deductible.

Answer 6

Do you have an actual client or business reason to go there (business meeting, convention, anything)?  I don't think fixing or upgrading your laptop while on vacation would fly.  If you were really doing business there, you would know the answer, and not be asking this question.