✈️ How to Write Off International Travel on Schedule C

If you’re a solopreneur, side hustler, or small business owner who travels, you’ve probably wondered: How do I actually put travel deductions on my taxes?

The good news? The IRS allows you to deduct many travel costs — including flights, hotels, meals, and even WiFi — as long as your trip is structured as business. The key is knowing where on Schedule C these expenses go, which rules apply from IRS Publication 463, and how to stay audit-ready.

This guide walks you through:

• ✅ The Schedule C lines you’ll actually use (with examples)

• ✅ The overlooked international travel rules in Publication 463

• ✅ Where to list services (like tax prep, consulting, or notary work you purchase)

• ✅ Tips for staying compliant while keeping more money in your pocket

📝 Schedule C Basics for Travel Deductions

Schedule C (Profit or Loss From Business) is where sole proprietors and single-member LLCs report their income and business expenses. For most entrepreneurs and frequent travelers, this is the form where your deductions live.

Here’s how common international travel expenses map to Schedule C:

• Line 11 — Contract Labor:
  Payments to drivers, guides, or experts you hire to get closer to your business goals. Example: a tour guide who takes you through the wholesale markets in China for your boutique, or a cooking class abroad if you own a catering company.

• Line 17 — Legal and Professional Services:
  Fees you pay for tax prep, consulting, notary services, or even my tax strategy products and services. If you work with me, those payments are deductible here.

• Line 22 — Supplies:
  Printing, paper, ink, or other materials you buy specifically for business use during travel.

• Line 24a — Travel:
  Flights, hotels, trains, taxis, rental cars, baggage fees, international SIM cards, airport lounges.

• Line 24b — Meals:
  Meals during business days (50% deductible), including airport food and business dinners while abroad.

• Line 27a — Other Expenses:

  • WiFi and roaming fees (internet is often treated as a utility, but can also be claimed under “Other Expenses” if directly tied to business use).

  • Dry cleaning or laundry during your trip — while not “professional services,” this can still go here under “Other Expenses” since it’s necessary for maintaining business-appropriate clothing during extended travel.

📖 Publication 463: Small Print That Matters

IRS Publication 463 explains the rules for business travel deductions. A few key takeaways most entrepreneurs miss:

• Business Purpose: You must log who, what, and why for each expense. (Example: “Lunch with client in Madrid to discuss Q4 marketing campaign.”)

• International Travel Percentage Rule: If your trip mixes business and personal, you can only deduct the % of days spent on business. Hitting 75% or more often makes the entire trip deductible.

• Receipts Over $75: Keep receipts for any travel expense over $75 — yes, even that $82 Uber to the airport.

Without this documentation, the IRS can disallow your deductions. That’s why a structured system (like Write-Off Wanderlust) makes all the difference.

💡 Example: $1,500 International Trip

Let’s say your trip costs:

• Flight: $800

• Hotel: $500

• Meals: $200

That’s $1,500 in core expenses.

• In a 20% tax bracket = $300 saved

• In a 32% tax bracket = $480 saved

Now add in overlooked expenses: WiFi, baggage fees, rideshares, printing, laundry — another $200–$300. Suddenly, your $1,500 trip saves $400–$600+ in taxes.

🚀 How to Stay Audit-Proof

To make sure these deductions stick:

1. Keep a business activities log. Record who you met, where, and why.

2. Separate personal vs. business days. Use a business day calculator (included in Write-Off Wanderlust) to stay above the 75% rule.

3. Save every receipt > $75. Digital copies are fine.

4. Categorize expenses correctly. Don’t lump WiFi, printing, or professional services into “miscellaneous.” Put them on the right Schedule C lines.

🧳 Final Word: Turn Your Trips Into Tax Savings

International travel isn’t just about the memories — it can be a powerful business deduction if you know how to document it.

• Flights, hotels, and meals go on Lines 24a and 24b.

• WiFi, dry cleaning, or international roaming can go under Line 27a (Other Expenses).

• Printing and materials go under Line 22 (Supplies).

• Tax prep, consulting, or even notary services you purchase (yes, including mine) go under Line 17 (Legal and Professional Services).

• And don’t forget: guides, drivers, or experts you hire to move your business forward belong on Line 11 (Contract Labor).

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