Can I deduct hotel & meal expenses at a second hotel for an out of state job if I moved to another hotel after job was done to be closer to the airport?

[jacquedodds]

The job was a little more than a hour away with rush hour traffic to contend with. The job was on a Friday but the flight rates were cheaper if we flew a few days later. While at this hotel and waiting for our return trip we were able to visit some family & friends in the area. Will those visits negate the deductibility of the second hotel & meal costs? 

[RichardK · Accepted solution]

If you can substantiate that the cost staying at the hotel was less than the additional airfare to fly home earlier, I think you would have a good case for deducting the the second hotel as a business deduction, click here for IRS publication 463 Travel, Entertainment, Gift, and Car Expenses. From IRS publication 463Trip Primarily for Business

You can deduct all of your travel expenses if your trip was entirely business related. If your trip was primarily for business and, while at your business destination, you extended your stay for a vacation, made a personal side trip, or had other personal activities, you can deduct only your business-related travel expenses. These expenses include the travel costs of getting to and from your business destination and any business-related expenses at your business destination.

[jacquedodds]

Not actually sure how to substantiate the savings between the additional flight cost to the cost of hotel. I had 2 airfare tickets versus one room cost since my son and I shared a room. I would have had to take a snap shot of the my computer screen at the time of booking my flights since Airfare costs change by the day, month, season or even hour. May have to miss out on this one and keep that in mind for the future. Thank you Richard.  Was helpful information.