Tax Deductible Miles: Is It Worth the Risk?

[beepampered]

Okay, last year, I drove 678 to visit my brother and do a show. It was a good show and I got a recruit as well. Then, I drove home and stopped by my mom's on the way back and did a fundraiser.

I know that legally I can deduct the mileage but I wonder if it's a red flag for an audit. It would be a total of 1379 miles. Would you put that on your taxes? I could also just put the half to my mom's. Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[Bluiydangl]

you can take a standard milage deduction. Last year I drove from northern lower MI to VA for a fundraiser-about 1000+ and only had 150 in local shows, so turbo tax did the standard milage.

we've already got out refund and Dave ramsey'ed it.

 

[pcchefjane]

You just put down the total mileage so unless you are around 10,000 miles, I wouldn't think there would be any red flags. As long as you have backup, don't worry about it.

 

[chef greta]

does anyone know the mileage rate for 2008?

 

[AnaCash]

First of all, congratulations on a successful show and recruiting a new team member during your trip! It's always great to hear about fellow consultants' achievements. Regarding your question about deducting mileage on your taxes, it's always best to consult with a tax professional for specific advice. However, as a general rule, as long as you have proper documentation and can prove that the mileage was for business purposes, you should be able to deduct it on your taxes. The IRS does allow for deductions of business-related travel expenses, including mileage. In terms of being a red flag for an audit, as long as you have the necessary documentation and can explain the purpose of your trip and how it relates to your business, you should not have any issues. If you're unsure about deducting the full 1379 miles, you could consider splitting it between your brother's and your mom's locations based on the percentage of time spent at each place. I hope this helps and best of luck with your taxes! Keep up the great work as a pampered chef consultant. Sincerely,