Can we deduct the travel expense in 2005 Tax Return?

[chuckandkim 0]

I'm wondering and very interested to know if anyone has done the following:

- Deduct ALL costs of your fiance's moving here to the US. This will include: 2 flight tickets for me to go back and bring her here, mileage, and hotel.

- Moving from Hochiminh City to Philadelphia, PA.

Cost total: $3000.

Can I do this? Given I do have all the receipts to show the cost of moving here. (ticket receipts, lodging, toll-receipt, gas receipt)

Thank you,

Chuck and Kim

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Nope the only moving expenses you can deduct is moving expenses due to a new job.

[john_and_marlene 162]

I'm wondering and very interested to know if anyone has done the following:

- Deduct ALL costs of your fiance's moving here to the US. This will include: 2 flight tickets for me to go back and bring her here, mileage, and hotel.

- Moving from Hochiminh City to Philadelphia, PA.

Cost total: $3000.

Can I do this? Given I do have all the receipts to show the cost of moving here. (ticket receipts, lodging, toll-receipt, gas receipt)

Thank you,

Chuck and Kim

Moving expenses can be deducted if the move was over 50 miles for employment. The purpose of the move to the U.S. was to get married and is not deductible. If the subsequent move was for employment, those expenses may be deductible.

Edited February 1, 2006 by john_and_marlene

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I'm wondering and very interested to know if anyone has done the following:

- Deduct ALL costs of your fiance's moving here to the US. This will include: 2 flight tickets for me to go back and bring her here, mileage, and hotel.

- Moving from Hochiminh City to Philadelphia, PA.

Cost total: $3000.

Can I do this? Given I do have all the receipts to show the cost of moving here. (ticket receipts, lodging, toll-receipt, gas receipt)

Thank you,

Chuck and Kim

Moving expenses can be deducted if the move was over 50 miles for employment. The purpose of the move to the U.S. was to get married. If the subsequent move was for employment, those expenses may be deductible.

My wife says that being my wife is like a full-time job.

Does that count?

[chuckandkim 0]

I'm wondering and very interested to know if anyone has done the following:

- Deduct ALL costs of your fiance's moving here to the US. This will include: 2 flight tickets for me to go back and bring her here, mileage, and hotel.

- Moving from Hochiminh City to Philadelphia, PA.

Cost total: $3000.

Can I do this? Given I do have all the receipts to show the cost of moving here. (ticket receipts, lodging, toll-receipt, gas receipt)

Thank you,

Chuck and Kim

Moving expenses can be deducted if the move was over 50 miles for employment. The purpose of the move to the U.S. was to get married. If the subsequent move was for employment, those expenses may be deductible.

My wife says that being my wife is like a full-time job.

Does that count?

Funny, Kim said the same thing.... I just also found out the answer. Thank you for your quick response....

[pax 0]

I knew you couldn't, but it would be funny if you could. That way, if anyone suggests that your non-USC spouse just married you for a green card, you could reply that you just married him or her for the tax deduction, so it all works out evenly.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

What if you (the USC) moved returned to the US for your job, could you then deduct spouse's moving expenses?

I guess that would be one for the accountant.

[lucyrich 19]

See IRS Publication 521 for an explanation of the rules for moving expense deductions.

Contrary to what's been posted here, the move doesn't have to be for the purpose of getting a new job, it just has to be closely related to the new job both in time and in place, as explained in publication 521. If you meet the time and distance tests described in that publication, you can deduct the expenses as described in that publication.

Most VJers will have no trouble meeting the distance test, but many will have trouble with the time test, due to the time it can take to get work authorization and the time required for the job hunt. Still, it's worth reading the rules to see if there's a chance you qualify.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

See IRS Publication 521 for an explanation of the rules for moving expense deductions.

Contrary to what's been posted here, the move doesn't have to be for the purpose of getting a new job, it just has to be closely related to the new job both in time and in place, as explained in publication 521. If you meet the time and distance tests described in that publication, you can deduct the expenses as described in that publication.

Most VJers will have no trouble meeting the distance test, but many will have trouble with the time test, due to the time it can take to get work authorization and the time required for the job hunt. Still, it's worth reading the rules to see if there's a chance you qualify.

Those coming on a CR1/IR1 or those lucky enough to get EAD and job soon enough may have a shot at this. The way I read it, you have to start your job close to your move (within a year is what they consider close if memory serves right) and you have to work in the new area (not neccessarily the same job) for 39 weeks. If that is 39 out of the year from moving or filing or either, I don't know. But I agree that it may be worth looking through that publication more closely.