Write offs for Onlyfans

[Bonzilla8]

I was looking into taking a trip to film in another state and i was wondering what could be written off as it would be a work trip? I saw somewhere you can write off the plane ticket, the rental car, and the airbnb you stay at but i wanted to check on that the be sure and didnt know if there were any maximum limits like if i get a more expensive place to stay if it would still be considered “ordinary and necessary” thank you!

[JeffreyR77]

If the purpose of the trip is business, then the related ordinary and necessary expenses are deductible as business expenses.  There really isn't a true test for lodging; nowhere is it stated Motel 6 v. Ritz Carlton is acceptable or not.  If you are staying at airbnb, you more than likely can defend the upgrade as still being business.   If the entire trip is not business,- if filming is 3 out of 5 days of the trip and 2 days are vacation - , then you must prorate your expenses accordingly.  

[Opus 17]

This would be "Travel" as defined in IRS publication 463.

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/p463--2019.pdf

You can deduct ordinary and necessary expenses of your self-employment job.  

"To be deductible, a business expense must be both ordinary and necessary. An ordinary expense is one that is common and accepted in your trade or business. A necessary expense is one that is helpful and appropriate for your trade or business. An expense does not have to be indispensable to be considered necessary."

There is no particular requirement that you minimize your expense or take the cheapest airfare and lodgings.  For meals, you can either claim 50% of your actual meal expenses (if you keep track) or you can claim 50% of the federal meal reimbursement rate, which varies depending on the city you are staying in.  You can look up the rate now if you want, but Turbotax will look it up for you when you file your return. 

However, you can't deduct your personal vacation expenses.  For example, if you travel to Hawaii for a photo shoot, and stay 10 days, but only shoot on 3 days, the other 7 days are your personal vacation and your expenses are not deductible. 

[Opus 17]

There is a dollar limit for cruise ships and other "luxury water travel", but there are no other rules requiring economy travel. 

[Bonzilla8]

See i wasnt sure how work days work as ill be filming daily and taking photos daily but it wouldnt be necessarily all day just atleast a few hours a day

[Opus 17]

Review chapter 1 of publication 463, but I don’t think you have to work a certain number of hours to count as a work day instead of a personal day. At least, there is no minimum requirement in the regulations.  However, I would think that if you just posting a few pictures per day on instagram, there would be very little difference between you doing it as a business and someone else posting their vacation, and the IRS might scrutinize it if you have the bad luck to be audited.  Every situation is judged on its own facts, and the question would be whether your expenses are the ordinary and necessary expenses of your profit-making business.  

The best way to get an answer that is specific to your exact needs is to contact your own professional tax advisor.