The rules on claiming travel expenses to a rental property (Schedule E) when stopping on the way for a personal reason are still fuzzy to me considering the wording about side trips. I have a short term rental (Schedule E) that is 300 miles away. My mother's home is enroute and I often visit her on the way to or from the rental for a few days. She is about 100 miles from my home.
Scenario 1: If stay at my Mom's for 3 days and at the rental for 4 days. Do I claim the total round trip miles between my home and the rental (600 miles)?
Scenario 2: I stay at my Mom's for 4 days on the way to my rental property and then continue on to my rental for 3 days. Then travel directly home from the rental property. Do I only claim the mileage from my Mom's to the rental property and back home (400 Miles)?
Scenario 3: I stop at my Mom's in both directions for 1 night and stay at the rental for 3 nights. Do I claim the full 600 mile round trip from home to the rental property?
Scenario 4: I stop at my Mom's in both directions for 2 nights each after staying at the rental for 3 nights. Do I only claim the 200 miles round trip between my Mom's and the rental property?
Thanks in advance for your help.
