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Vacation Expenses for Business Owners: Combine Travel with Education

Writer's picture: Christopher AbellChristopher Abell

Maintaining your professional license is essential as a business owner, but it doesn’t have to keep you confined to the office. You can combine your vacation with continuing education (CME), transforming your trip into a legitimate business expense. This policy allows for covering part of your vacation costs, provided you meet the requirements and plan accordingly.


How to Make It Work


  • Dedicate Time to CME: By committing time towards CME during your vacation, you may qualify to cover a portion of your expenses with your business account. It’s vital to reach out for approval before finalizing travel plans to meet all guidelines.

  • Document Everything: Keep detailed records of expenses, conference itineraries, and CME activities. The IRS requires documentation, especially for trips that combine business and personal time.


For example, attending the AANA Congress in San Diego in 2024 offers a perfect opportunity. You can enjoy the sun while earning CME hours, transforming your vacation into a productive, tax-efficient trip.


Key Guidelines for Combining Business and Personal Travel

  1. Primary Purpose: Ensure the main reason for your trip is business. Transportation costs to and from your destination are deductible if the primary purpose is business. If personal time dominates, you cannot deduct those expenses.


  2. Business Days vs. Personal Days: Plan for more business days than personal ones. Travel days, standby days (if required to be present), and weekends between business activities can count as business days​ however, expenses for personal days, including lodging and meals, are not deductible.


  3. Allocate Shared Costs: Only deduct your portion of shared expenses when traveling with family. For example, if you would have stayed in a single room, only that cost is deductible. Similarly, only your airfare or transportation should be deducted if traveling with others.


By blending vacation with professional development, you can enjoy time off while staying compliant with tax regulations and keeping your business goals in focus. For approval and more details, consult your advisor before booking.

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