Re: Tax deductions

**"Marge Talt" mtalt@hort.net>**

My understanding is that anything that you can prove is directly
related to an income producing venture and which falls within IRS
deductible guidelines is deductible.  But, you need to be able to
prove the expense, which means keeping records of every penny, even
if on scraps of paper...date, amount and how it relates to the
business you're claiming it on.  Keep a mileage book and get in the
habit of entering your odometer reading at the start of every trip -
I use those small appointment calendar books.  I learned this the
hard way one year when we were audited.  Royal pain in the derrière,
but worth it in deductions:-)

As far as trips that are part business and part vacation.  You can
certainly deduct the business end of it.  Either use a percentage of
the whole expense or keep records of what was business related - just
be prepared to justify it with paper...IRS loves paper.  If you go
somewhere that is business related and stop for a snack or even a
meal at a 5 star joint...that, too is deductible (or a percentage of
it - IRS has convoluted rules about food).  If you entertain people
in relation to business...that, too, is deductible to an extent,
including the sodas you bought at the grocery store for them to drink
while they were at your place of business...the list goes on and
on:-)

Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@hort.net
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----------
> From: Sunwriter7@aol.com
> 
> OK, since we're in a lag time, listserver-wise, here's a question
for those 
> among you who are savvy businesspeople. (If this has already been
covered, 
> let me know, and I'll check the archives). Do you deduct your
gardening 
> expenses on your income tax? This would include everything and
anything you 
> buy for your garden, from what you pay a gardener to tools, plants,
mulch, 
> hardscape supplies and irrigation. Two writer friends of mine were
horrified 
> that I DON'T deduct all this stuff, because it's directly related
to my work, 
> and insisted I talk to a good accountant who specializes in working
with 
> freelance writers. Yet yesterday, when a photographer friend showed
me 
> promotional material she had compiled to sell her services, which
included 
> travel shots, and I asked her if she had deducted the cost of her
trip (which 
> was basically a vacation), she said HER accountant had advised her
not to! I 
> DO deduct a percentage of my phone and car expenses, and all my
office 
> expenses, but now I'm wondering if I should consult an accountant
and maybe 
> file an amended return and recap some of my (not insubstantial)
gardening 
> expense. 
> Debra Lee Baldwin
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