Tax-deductible, business-related expenses
So you’re travelling away from your tax home for business purposes on a national or international trip. What travel expenses can you expect to write off in your next tax return?
Staying in a hotel or paid accommodation is another tax-deductible cost as well as some other related costs like laundry and dry cleaning. Other costs, however, might not be eligible such as the use of the hotel’s gym, movie rental, or food items from the minibar. Obtaining an itemised bill at the end of your stay is therefore important for claiming the eligible costs back.
Generally speaking, you can claim up to 50% of business meal costs and meal expenses as long as they are not “lavish or extravagant” which, according to the IRS means that it is “reasonable based on the facts and circumstances.”
You can claim the cost of sending baggage as well as “sample or display material” to your business destination.
These include business-related calls you make while on your business trip. It also includes any other form of communications costs by fax or other communication devices.