As your clients look at getting their financial houses in order, here are some unexpected tax deductions they may be able to claim on their returns. This is written for the taxpayer, so copy and paste this information to send to your clients.<\/p>\n
Unexpected Business Deductions<\/strong><\/p>\n Business travel (including exotic places).\u00a0<\/strong>If you need to travel out of town for business, the cost of getting to and from your destination and any business related expenses when you\u2019re at your destination can be deductible. To be allowable by the IRS, the travel expenses must be considered reasonable and not lavish or extravagant. Attending business conferences in exotic locations, such as Hawaii or the Caribbean Islands, are allowable if they are reasonably justified.<\/p>\n Driving to a class.\u00a0<\/strong>If you drive to an educational class, you may be able to deduct the standard mileage rate (53.5 cents a mile in 2017) for the cost of commuting. If the education meets the following conditions, you would be able to take the deduction on Schedule A (if itemizing) or Schedule C.<\/p>\n Guard dogs.\u00a0<\/strong>If you have a guard dog to protect your business from robberies or break-ins, you\u2019re allowed to deduct any expenses necessary to take care of the guard dog.<\/p>\n\n