09/04/2026
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I don’t take many “vacations” anymore. I take BUSINESS TRIPS. ✈️
And yes… there’s a difference.
Before I travel, there’s a legitimate business reason for the trip.
I conduct the business.
I document what I’m doing.
And THEN, if I have some personal time while I’m there?
I enjoy it. 😂
Maybe I hit the beach.
Explore the city.
Go hiking.
Eat somewhere good.
There’s nothing wrong with enjoying yourself while you’re traveling for business.
But here’s where people get confused:
You can’t take a personal vacation, answer a few emails by the pool, and suddenly call the entire trip a business deduction. 😂
The business purpose needs to be legitimate.
And the tax treatment depends on things like:
📍 Where you’re traveling
📅 How many days are business vs. personal
💼 What business activities you’re actually conducting
🧾 Whether the expenses are ordinary and necessary
📝 Whether you properly document the business purpose
There can also be opportunities to strategically schedule legitimate business activities around a weekend.
For example, you may have business scheduled Friday and again Monday, with the weekend in between.
Depending on the circumstances and applicable travel rules, those intervening days may be treated differently than simply adding several vacation days to a business trip.
That’s where planning matters.
The goal isn’t to manufacture a fake business reason for your vacation.
The goal is to recognize legitimate opportunities to combine business travel with some personal enjoyment without losing the deductions you’re legally entitled to.
That’s how I want business owners thinking:
Don’t spend money JUST for a tax deduction.
But when you’re already conducting legitimate business…
Understand the tax rules and structure your travel accordingly.
Business first.
Documentation always.
Enjoy the destination while you’re there. ✈️🌎
That’s tax planning.
Follow Ronnie Goode, CPA
Follow Ronnie Goode, CPA
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