Admin
Raymond E. Camp

Spam prevention
Submit
Rainmaker
5,429,503
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Meet up with a few local real estate agents to discuss referrals.

Jan 06, 2019 08:52 AM
Rainmaker
5,585,089
Barbara Todaro
Retired...Mentoring Newbies - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

will it be worth triggering an audit??? that's the first question I always ask myself.... 

Jan 06, 2019 09:59 AM
Ambassador
2,137,674
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home again, home again...

You could teach a class, while you're there.
You could meet with fellow Realtors...
You could participate in a workshop, or some form of ongoing education.

lots of ways.

Jan 06, 2019 08:56 AM
Rainmaker
1,496,833
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

It appears that you are asking for tax advice which I am not qualified to provide. Talk to your tax professional.

Jan 06, 2019 09:29 AM
Rainmaker
564,544
Maria Sapio
Keller Williams of Central PA - Carlisle, PA
Real Estate Agent- Carlisle, PA. Mariasapio.com

This might be a good question to pose to your CPA.

Jan 06, 2019 09:16 AM
Rainmaker
2,885,122
Richard Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

I hear you on the theme but I have learned to say little about what can come back to haunt or taunt...later-on

Jan 06, 2019 09:11 AM
Rainmaker
15,791
Jennifer Hunter
Southern Tradition Real Estate - West Fork, AR
Realtor servicing NW Arkansas

Swing by a few brokerages and get thier cards. Ask for referrals for people moving in to your area. Not sure if that will cover your butt, so chek with your CPA. 

Jan 06, 2019 11:43 AM
Rainmaker
4,815,617
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Some may ask "why?".  Others: why not? This is a tax question. It may be a personal one too.

Jan 06, 2019 10:27 AM
Rainmaker
5,598,329
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Meet with a Rainer and discuss referrals!

Jan 06, 2019 09:27 AM
Rainer
382,359
Sally Lawrence
Advantage Real Estate - Tehachapi, CA
Broker, CHS, e-Pro, SFR, REALTOR®

You have to have some business purpose in order to make it a business trip.  I often conduct real estate investment seminars as my business purpose at my destination.  Simply meeting with someone at your destination with the business purpose of creating a referral relationship qualifies.

IRS allows you to get to your business destination in whatever fashion you choose.  You could fly, take a train, drive, whatever.  Here's the key:  In order to count as a business travel day, your first night must be at least 300 miles from your home.

 

All of that said, I'm not a CPA nor am I qualified to give tax advaice.

Jan 06, 2019 08:52 AM
Ambassador
6,807,683
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671
  1. Visit Referral sources
  2. Check out investment properties
  3. Buy an investment property.
Jan 06, 2019 01:13 PM
Rainmaker
5,774,217
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Raymond,

Talk to your tax advisor.  A

Jan 06, 2019 11:08 AM
Rainmaker
1,550,860
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Ask your CPA.

Jan 06, 2019 11:02 AM
Rainmaker
1,650,075
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP
Big Block LPT Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
Coastal San Diego, Veteran's & Retirees Services

Ask a CPA, my guess:

Meet with prospects, associates, network or do something real estate related.

Jan 06, 2019 10:39 AM
Rainer
471,836
J.R. Schloemer
Kentucky Select Properties - Louisville, KY

Check with your CPA. I try to meet up with some local real estate contacts so I can have a contact to refer clients to in the event they are moving out of state. This allows me to deduct or write-off part of my trip & meet some new professionals. I am not a tax professional so seek advice from your own attorney or tax professional whom knows your situation better than I. 

Jan 06, 2019 10:14 AM
Rainmaker
5,386,042
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

You can always attend a class in the area of your travel. Meet with a Realtor and discuss referrals but I'd run it by your CPA and see if it flies!

Jan 06, 2019 10:01 AM
Rainmaker
8,280,826
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Create an ActiveRain MeetUp.

Jan 06, 2019 10:01 AM
Rainmaker
1,119,516
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

Find out from your tax person what would constitute a business trip that you can do in my old stomping grounds of Palm Springs!

Jan 06, 2019 09:50 AM
Rainmaker
2,580,945
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

I would ask my CPA what she recommends Raymond E. Camp .

Jan 06, 2019 02:50 PM
Ambassador
2,379,595
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

I always met with clients (and played golf with them) when I took my annual winter trip to P.S.  Yes, I had actual clients from my town who lived in Palm Springs.  Talk to your CPA about how to log it to make it legimate in your particular case.

Jan 06, 2019 01:45 PM
Rainmaker
1,231,903
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Visit a few ActiveRain members along the way.  

Jan 06, 2019 03:00 PM
Rainmaker
778,668
Lynnea Miller
Bend Premier Real Estate - Bend, OR
Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon

I would ask my CPA.  If you attended a real estate related seminar or did something for continuing education there, there may be a potential to deduct part of the cost of your trip.

Jan 06, 2019 02:05 PM
Rainmaker
1,329,761
Peter Mohylsky,
Property Management International-Destin - Inlet Beach, FL
Call me at 850-517-7098

Talk to your book keeper, keep good records and sleep well at night.  

Actually all the above except the last.  Do something business related on the trip.  Meet a client, preview some properties, meet with  local realtor to discuss business,

Jan 06, 2019 12:29 PM
Rainmaker
685,002
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

Alan May and I concur.  When in doubt consult with youir CPA! 

Jan 06, 2019 11:45 AM
Rainmaker
2,233,392
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

Hi Raymond,  you best talk to your CPA regarding this question.  Good luck.

Jan 06, 2019 05:05 PM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Of course you know you need to counsult a Cpa. I am not a CPA.

But if i were in NY and visiting FL I would go to the local Tax collector office and purchase a list of properties that have tax delinquencies. That could turn the travel cost into business trip. Now, you have a list available for your entertainment purposes. If you do entertain yourself, and you would need to be in Palm Springs to do so, you could create a legitimate reason for meeting the local pros regarding how the county handles tax certificates. Do they EVER lead to owning the real estate? (In Pinellas County Florida the answer is NO!) How can tax certs turn into ownership in Palm Springs you ask the locals?

Be aware, investing the hour this takes actually turns this into a business trip and not simply gaming the system. Who knows, you just might like what the entertainment turn up.

Jan 06, 2019 11:49 AM
Rainmaker
2,071,336
Evelina Tsigelnitskaya
SIB Realty - Sunny Isles Beach, FL

Great answers are here. 

Jan 06, 2019 07:03 PM
Rainmaker
5,317,005
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

I am funny and could deduct lots of trips but feel funny about it so do not do it.

Jan 06, 2019 05:46 PM
Rainmaker
1,273,109
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

A friend went to Hawaii looking at girls on the beach. He picked up some real estate flyers and claimed it was the cost of searching investment properties.

On the tax cost of travel to search for properties-did not find any. It was used to offset cash flow so IRS did not mind.

Jan 06, 2019 04:20 PM
Rainer
509,499
Susie Kay
Ultra Real Estate Dallas Fort Worth - Plano, TX
North Dallas Specialist

I would check with my CPA.  You can always meet other agents in Palm Springs and network.  

Jan 06, 2019 04:19 PM
Rainmaker
1,598,552
Valeria Mola
SIB Realty - Miami, Sunny Isles Beach - Sunny Isles Beach, FL
305-607-0709 SIB Realty Condos for Sale and Rent

Great answers. 

Jan 06, 2019 04:01 PM
Rainmaker
675,824
Buzz Mackintosh
Mackintosh REALTORS - Frederick, MD
“Experience, reliable, leadership”

See if there is a CRS class...etc, offered in Palm Springs

Jan 06, 2019 03:43 PM
Rainmaker
1,713,581
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

Go by an agency and get a business card.

Jan 06, 2019 03:22 PM
Ambassador
5,579,998
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

I second Alan May's suggestions...or travel with fellow Realtors® but, FIRST check with your CPA!

Jan 06, 2019 07:32 PM
Ambassador
3,456,066
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Discuss this with your tax professional. 

Jan 07, 2019 08:07 AM
Rainmaker
5,211,184
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

Good question for a cpa.

Jan 07, 2019 05:00 AM
Rainmaker
988,643
Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate
Kelly Right Real Estate - Hood River, OR
Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs

Follow the IRS rules and the advice of your tax professional. 

Jan 06, 2019 08:20 PM
Rainmaker
1,123,049
Diana Zaccaro Broker Associate
ZOOM Realty Group - Cocoa Beach, FL
"The Accidental Blogger" Cocoa Beach, Florida

Check with your CPA first. Everyone's tax situation is different so you need to know how to best structure what you do.

We have a lot of snowbirds here who are active real estate agents up north and spend time networking with local agents as a write off. If there are any classes or seminars you can attend in that area, it would most likely qualify but follow your CPA's advice and document everything!   

Jan 06, 2019 07:12 PM
Rainmaker
4,434,277
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I do not.

Jan 06, 2019 12:44 PM
Rainmaker
6,077,498
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I usually know someone in the city, and talk real estate at a lunch or dinner.

Jan 09, 2019 08:20 AM
Rainer
158,388
Anthony Kirlew
PLACE, Brokered by eXp Realty. Member, Group 46:10 Network - Gilbert, AZ
Helping You Make Fiscally Sound Real Estate Deals!

Talk to your accountant about it as they would be the one to represent you in an audit. 

Jan 08, 2019 10:59 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,529
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I talk real estate and document who I talk to

Jan 08, 2019 06:22 PM
Rainmaker
1,513,143
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

Just to let everyone know it will be a personal trip and maybe a little fun away from the cold!

Jan 07, 2019 05:40 AM
Rainmaker
1,762,598
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Meet with a RE broker to discuss setting up a referral agreement for your Rochester clients looking to escape the cold. Document it; BINGO!

Jan 12, 2019 02:55 PM
Back to Top
Ask a Question

Our real estate Q&A site is a place where real estate professionals can ask their peers questions so we can all learn and grow as a community.

Members of our community can ask, answer, like, and subscribe to questions. Visitors to our site can read the questions and answers that were marked as “public” by the author.

Recent Questions
View All Questions arrow_forward