- 12 - for both business and other purposes, such expenses are deductible only if the travel is primarily related to the taxpayer's trade or business. If a trip is primarily personal in nature, expenses incurred are not deductible even if the taxpayer engaged in some business activities at the destination. Id. Whether travel is related primarily to the taxpayer's trade or business or is primarily personal is a question of fact. Sec. 1.162-2(b)(2), Income Tax Regs.; see also Holswade v. Commissioner, 82 T.C. 686, 698, 701 (1984). The amount of time during the period of the trip that is devoted to personal activity, compared to the amount of time devoted to activities directly relating to the taxpayer's trade or business, is an important factor in determining whether the trip is primarily personal. Sec. 1.162-2(b)(2), Income Tax Regs. The taxpayer must prove that the trip was primarily related to the trade or business. Rule 142(a). Petitioner submitted no documentary evidence to support the claimed deduction for travel, meals, and entertainment expenses. Petitioner admitted that he both conducted business and visited family on his trips to China. The evidence submitted by petitioner in support of the travel, meals, and entertainment expenses is insufficient to satisfy the strict substantiation requirements of section 274(d). Furthermore, the Court is not satisfied that petitioner's trips to China were primarily relatedPage: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Next
Last modified: May 25, 2011