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Travel Tax Deductions for Your Secret Shopping BusinessMany mystery shoppers are not aware of all the travel tax deductions that they can take. By keeping accurate records, you may claim business deductions that are related to your secret shopping assignments. It is important to keep an auto log book (or an electronic device to record and keep your auto logs) in your car to record your mileage for both personal and business travel. That way, when you do your taxes, you will have the information you need to claim mileage. Anytime you drive to evaluate a business, you should record your starting and ending mileage reading on your odometer. In case you don't have one, you can get a very useful auto log book here:
If you incur expenses for parking or tolls while you are out on business, keep those receipts. It is good to also save your gas receipts as a back-up, even it you are claiming a mileage deduction instead of an actual expense deduction. If you are out on the road for several hours doing secret shopping assignments, you may also be able to deduct the cost of a meal in a restaurant. Of course, it would be even better to get a free meal by doing a restaurant mystery shop! With smart planning ahead, you can combine trips for running errands with your mystery shopping trips, taking advantage of your opportunity to claim business mileage. For instance, if you need to take clothing to be dry cleaned, choose a dry cleaning business that is near one of your secret shopping assignments. Drop off your clothing while you are there. This will save you time and give you the opportunity to use tax deductible mileage for something you would have had to do anyhow. If you land an assignment at a movie theater. Take a friend along, enjoy the movie, and take a mileage deduction in the process. What a great way to turn a trip out for entertainment into a travel tax deduction! Need a GPS so you don't get lost when you are on the road doing your secret shopping assignments? Click Here for GPS Deals. Can you REALLY get a tax deduction for purchasing a GPS system? Tax Deductible Vacations?Once you establish yourself as a reliable mystery shopper, the companies you work for should be willing to give you frequent assignments. When planning a vacation, you can log onto their websites to find out what assignments are available in the areas where you will be traveling.If you plan your trip so that you can spend a few hours each day doing mystery shops, you could claim some of your vacation expenses as a business expenses. This is especially helpful when you can claim large amounts of mileage as you travel from where you live to various assignments in different locations. Some of your meals may be deductible also. You can learn about the guidelines for travel tax deductions with the following products below:
You can claim your tax deductions by entering your shopper income and expenses on Schedule C when you do your income taxes. Using tax software that is made for people who are independent contractors or who have a home business will help you as you claim your travel deductions. If you have kept good records of your business expenses, it should not take you long to work your way through Schedule C. Go from Travel Tax Deductions to General Tax Deduction info For Some of the Most Creative Business Tax Deductions, Click Here for a FREE Ebook!
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