Can I deduct lodging costs incurred while waiting for belongings to arrive?

[ephrog]

I relocated across country for a job and was given a week window when my furniture was to arrive in the new location. I couldn't live in the new (or old) place until my stuff got there, and ended up being in a hotel for 4 days before it arrived. Can I deduct the cost of lodging for those 4 days?

[re2boys · Accepted solution]

You can deduct the first night in your new location as a travel expense.  Any other temporary living expenses at your new location are not deductible.

See page 8 of IRS Pub 521:  https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p521.pdf and in particular the example page 13.  Note that temporary living expenses were not allowed.