Can I deduct my mileage for travel to stadiums as freelance sports writer?

[bschaeffer12]

I am a freelance sports writer who does a good portion of his writing at home, but travels to the stadium for games when the local team is playing. I want to know whether I can deduct the mileage for this travel or whether it would be considered commuting mileage, which is not deductible. I don't necessarily think the stadium would be considered my "workplace" over my home or generally wherever I am doing my work as a freelance writer. I wrote hundreds of stories last year, and only a small portion of those stories were written at the stadiums.

[HelenC12]

Commuting miles is for employees. You're self-employed so yes, you can deduct the mileage. You can deduct work-related travel expenses, including vehicles, airfare, lodging, and meals. The expenses must be ordinary and necessary.

You do have to keep a travel log of miles from your home (if you don't have a separate offsite office), to your destination and then back home. The mileage log should include:

1. Date
2. Where (Address)
3. Miles driven
4. Who (for meetings)
5. Purpose

See Where do I enter my self-employment business expenses, like home office, vehicle mileage, and suppli...