Smart mystery shoppers know how to use tax write-offs for business expenses in their favor while they are traveling. When you can write off a portion of your travel expenses for a trip you were planning to take anyway simply by completing a shop while you are there, why wouldn’t you? Of course there are limitations to this. You certainly can’t write off a $2,500 weekend in Daytona Beach simply because you did one shop there. However, there are definitely some money-saving advantages to doing a little work while you are away from home. Check with your accountant or tax advisor for more details on what exactly you can write off on your trip.
There is a little more planning involved in completing a shop far from home. Here’s what you need to know:
Plan Around the Deadline. You can pick up shops on the way to your destination, such as in an airport or in a city on the way to your destination. Shops typically require that you complete the required paperwork within 12 to 24 hours after you perform the shop. If you won’t have the ability to log on to your computer and file the shop within the required timeline, you should pass on that shop.
You should check that you won’t need to do a return visit to the location to complete the shop. Unless you will be returning through the same location fairly quickly and can do the return visit shop in the timeframe required, you would need to skip over that particular shop.
When you are making your personal plans for your vacation, make sure to schedule time for you to complete the shop and the paperwork. You don’t want to have a big sightseeing tour, fancy dinner, or a show planned at the time when you need to be completing your paperwork.
Check Your Equipment. Being a mystery shopper today requires quite a bit of technology. First, you need your laptop with internet access. So be sure to pack up your laptop before you leave the house, as well as the printed shop requirements. If you don’t have a wireless internet card that will allow you to connect to the internet using your cell phone, you will want to make sure your hotel or other accommodations will have internet access available for you. Or plan ahead and locate a nearby internet café where you can log on.
If you need to scan your receipt or fax your paperwork, make sure you will have access to a scanner or fax machine. Many higher-end hotels have full-service business centers that are able to accommodate these needs. If your accommodations won’t have the necessary equipment, don’t worry. You can always pick up a shop on the way back home, so you are still completing a shop on your trip but will have the conveniences of home to file the paperwork.
Don’t Limit Yourself. Keep in mind, this doesn’t just apply to the big once-a-year family vacation. You can use shops that are outside your normal shop area to your advantage for a small weekend getaway to a bed and breakfast a few cities away, or a holiday weekend with the relatives. Anytime you are planning on traveling out of town, see if you can pick up a shop either on the way or at your destination.
While it may sound like a bit of a pain to complete a shop on a trip, there are some significant tax advantages to being able to write off a portion of your trip. With a little planning and forethought, completing a mystery shop on your trip can pay off big for you.
Thanks for this article. I’ve done a few jobs away from home in the past. But I didn’t know I could write them off on my income tax returns. I’ll keep this in mind next yr.
Many libraries have free wireless Internet access. Most also have free computers to use by patrons. These services are typically available for anyone, not just locals.
Hi…I once did a shop while on vacation for a restaurant shop. The hotel we stayed wireless would work with my computer. I tried using their computer but it kept locking up on the report forms. I finally had to go to a library to complete my report. I wasn’t able to upload my receipts but got permission to fax them. The library charged a flat $10 fee for 4 hours. That’s whole lot better than you have to pay at Kinko’s. Needless to say, now I am purchasing a aircard for my laptop so I won’t have that same problem next time.
We regularly travel to a family owned cabin that is about 5 hours away. We pass through a small town that has a grocery store that needs shopped regularly. I try to perform this shop whenever we are passing through. I also talked to the scheduler and got permission to enter the report a little later than the normal turnaround time. I have used the library to enter the report when we were there for an extended period of time. I also did a fast food shop that they had bonused to $40 (up from $8.00). The tax writeoffs make doing a little extra planning well worth the effort!
I have been wathcing the airport jobs to travle coming up in Sept. and Oct. Dallas Fortworth/Los Angles. Any one have any suggestions? I also plan to do the jobs I have fun doing in my area where I land. E
I travel in my RV so do out of town shops on the road all the time. I have a broadband and thus can make my reports as I go down the road. Contacting some companies I have been able to plan a complete itinerary and do shops.
Yes my accountant uses all my income and expenses on my income tax.
I travel to Southern California every other month, and have scheduled shops en route, as well as at the destination. The sticky part is locating the jobs, since in most instances, I am dealing with entirely different companies. I did my first apartment shop while on the wing, and that proved to be very interesting. My knowledge of the city, travelled to, and familiarity with the public transportation system is a big plus, for those of us challenged by high car rental rates!! For shoppers interested in airports, try Customer Service Experts. They tend to have shops in many airports, including DFW and LAX.
This is a good article, reminding us of the importance of record keeping. I am not trying to file income taxes, but should it become necessary, I will tap the receipts for expense, and travel mileage.
Thank you.