My Travel Journal

By Caterina Christakos

 Many of us wonder, “Are travel expenses tax deductible?” or “Is there any way for me to take a vacation and write part of it off?” Well the answer to that is yes if you do it right.

The IRS allows you to deduct a part of your travel expenses if your vacation is related to your business or will enhance your business. So if you are attending a business meeting somewhere or a conference that will enhance your business you can qualify for a deduction. Why do you think so many seminars and conventions are held in Las Vegas or Orlando?

Now there is a right way and a wrong way of doing this. You must document why you are going to that location and keep your receipts. Also you should choose a seminar, convention or meeting that you could not easily duplicate in your home town.

For example, a friend of mine is a hypnotist. There aren’t many hypnosis shows in Orlando but there are a ton of them in Vegas. If he was going to Vegas to learn more about how to conduct a hypnosis show to enhance his business then all the hypnosis shows that he attended in Vegas should be tax deductible.

Another friend of mine helps design theme park events and creates special effects for large company promotions. His trips to Disney land are probably tax deductible because he creates illusions similar to what Disney creates.

Convention and business travel expenses are deductible whether you are self- employed or employed by another company. So Dell could send their employees to a sales seminar and their employees could deduct many of their expenses. Or if you as an individual needing some extra training to further your career or business you could write off these expenses, as well.

The thing to remember is that the seminar must enhance your career or business. So if you were going to a training class like World Capital Institute in Orlando holds for those that wish to enter the Stock and Commodities field as a broker then that would be deductible, but if you were going to a seminar to learn how to trade stocks for your personal use then that would not result in a tax deduction.

Time is a factor in determining whether the IRS will consider your trip business related. You should spend the greater portion of your time in the seminar or meeting clients than you spend frolicking. So if your convention is four days you should spend no more than an additional 2-3 days seeing the sights.

Now what can be deducted:

1)If your trip is primarily for business, then you can deduct your travel expenses - air fare, taxis, etc… So make sure that you have your convention or class paid for before booking your flight. Or if you are going to meet a potential client, then you should have this appointment set before making your travel arrangements.

Now if you are going to see a client, get that meeting in writing so that you have proof. Write to him to set your appointment and have him write you back confirming the appointment.

2) Any meals, hotels, etc.. during this business trip can be written off, as a cost of doing business.

Remember to consult with your accountant before taking your next business trip to make sure that you are going about it properly and to make sure that the rules have not changed. Also ask about the difference between national and international travel deductions. Taking a business vacation and reaping the benefits is easy, if you know how to play by the IRS’s rules

Caterina Christakos is an experienced investor and published author. Interested in learning how to earn even more money as a financial broker. Pass your exam and possibly write off your training here: http://brokertrainingandeducation.com

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By Henry Ashworth

 Good amounts of snow have encouraged skiers in Europe to hit the slopes and forget their financial woes so far this year - much to the relief of the ski holiday industry.

And the good news for ski country Andorra comes as two of her resorts have been named in a leading ski internet site’s top ten - something which might help Andorra win a bigger share of the European ski market this year.

The skiing holidays site suggests nearly a million Brits alone will be hitting the slopes this winter, but with the economic recession other leading travel ski holiday internet sites think this figure will be revised down.

The good news for the Andorra resorts comes firstly because of Arinsal.

Arinsal topped the poll and won because, with some sixty per cent of British skiers fitting in the novice category, the Andorra ski holidays resort is perfect for them. Away from top class skiers, the whole village atmosphere makes for happy new skiers - and happy new skiers are likely to continue skiing in future years, boosting the ski holidays industry not just in Andorra but with other resorts too.

As well as friendly ski slopes, Arinsal has a good mix of accommodation. Hotels are from hostel standard to four and five star luxury, while there is self catering too with aparthotels, privately available apartments by the week, and the occasional chalet too. Arinsal offers ski instruction in either groups or on an individual basis from novice to advanced, to complete the ski holidays scene.

The second piece of good news for Andorra is that a second resort also makes the ski holidays travel sites’ top ten - an accolade in itself.

They place Pas de la Casa at number four of its top ten ski holiday areas and praise the Andorra resort for its low prices, adding ‘The happy hours, discos, lively cafes and restaurants also give the Andorran resort of Pas de la Casa its reputation as one of the liveliest resorts in the mountains.’

Pas de la Casa is Andorra’s highest ski resort, and consequently has the earliest and deepest snow, with well known Soldeu at a slightly lower altitude.

Andorra started to develop her ski resorts for tourists back in the 1980’s. For the first decade Andorra decided to go for the budget skier, and was able to provide ski holidays at a lot less cost than neighbouring France, and other ski countries in Europe including Austria and Switzerland.

But now Andorra has moved away from the image of the poor man’s Switzerland for skiing to one that is pretty upmarket, with ski resorts such as Soldeu, Arinsal, Pal and Pas de la Casa attracting serious skieres to her slopes as well as novices. In Soldeu for example there is a good choice of Andorra hotels, including four and five star ones, while spa hotels are dotted around the country.

And while the skiing fraternity might be a bit more upmarket with money to match, so are the new residents who move to Andorra to live there full time and take up residency in Andorra.

While Andorra property averaged between three and hundred thousand Euros a few years ago to new residents, the average now is closer to double that. Not because Andorra has seen her property prices rise that much necessarily, although it is true to say it has risen close to fifty per cent in the three years preceeding the current worldwide recession, but because more and more people are choosing Andorra over Monaco as a tax haven.

While Andorra might be a little country, it might fare better than the big ones for 2009 in the current economic climate.

2009 Andorra ski holiday information can be found at yourandorra.com

The guide also has

Swiss ski information plus for accommodation hotels in Andorra

For those wanting to buy a ski property, the guide has details of property in Andorra from realtors.

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By Roberto Garabell

 Everyday across the glob, a large number of individuals, couples, and families travel by way of an airplane. Out of all of those travelers, a good number of them are traveling overseas or to a foreign country. As international travel continues to increase in popularity, it is likely that the numbers will continue to rise. In fact, there is even a good chance that you may make the decision to travel to another country. If so, it is advised that you familiarize yourself with the international air travel rules.

When it comes to international air travel rules, there are many travelers who automatically get confused. This is because not many people know that the rules for international air travel are different than the rules for domestic air travel. In reality, they aren’t exactly the same, but they aren’t that much different either. Despite the similarities, it is still advised that you place a focus on international air travel, especially since you will be traveling internationally.

As previously mentioned, you will find that a number of the air travel rules are similar between domestic and international travel. One of those rules is the airport screening process. In all airports, even if they are not classified as an international airport, passengers will need to pass through the appropriate airport security checkpoints. This screening process includes the close examination of your checked baggage. Unlike in the past, now almost all airlines thoroughly inspect checked baggage looking for explosive, flammable, or illegal items.

Since a large number of international airports not only offer international flights, but domestic flights as well, intentional passengers are not always separated from domestic ones. Essentially, this means that the passenger screening procedures, as well as the screening for all luggage will be the same. All flyers are advised to remove any of their accessories, which may set of the metal detectors, as well as their shoes. Your shoes will be sent through the x-ray machine. This is done to ensure that there are not explosives or other dangerous materials hidden in them.

One of the few differences that you will see, between domestic air travel and international air travel, has to do with the first check-in. When you first arrive at the airport, you will need to approach the airline counter to register yourself. This is also where your checked luggage will be examined and processed for the trip. On domestic flights, passengers only need to supply a picture id. This identification is usually a government issued identification card or a driver’s license. If you are planning on traveling internationally, you will need to supply additional proof of identification.

The proofs of identification that you will need will all depend on the airport in which you are leaving from and the airport that you will be arriving at. If you are required to show more than a picture id, you may need to bring your birth certificate, your passport, your visa, or your certificate of citizenship. Although your first impulse may be to bring them all, just in case, you will want to refrain from doing so. Unless absolutely necessarily, you will want to keep these important personal documents safe at home.

The above mentioned international air travel rules and procedures are just a few of the many that you may be required to follow. If and when you are unsure about a particular rule, it is advised that you seek professional assistance. That assistance should either come directly from an international airport or an international airline.

Sean Jones is the author of articles such as International Travel Tips, Airport Security, and Airborne Internet. Visit International Air Travel Rules.

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