How to Write Off Your Cruise or Flight to Europe (Without Getting Audited or Arrested)

Dr. Money Savvy
May 27
3 min read

Ah, Europe. Land of buttery croissants, majestic ruins, and...possible tax deductions?

Yes, my friend. That Parisian pastry might clog your arteries, but with the right planning, it won’t clog your wallet. Welcome to the magical world of travel tax write-offs—where the line between business and pleasure is thinner than a budget airline seat cushion.

Let’s break it down before your CPA breaks down.

💼 Rule #1: It’s Not a Vacation (Even Though It Totally Is)

The IRS is many things, but stupid is not one of them. If you try to deduct your trip to Ibiza by saying you were “scouting influencers for a startup idea,” they’ll audit you so fast your fanny pack will spin.

To write off your travel:

The primary reason for the trip must be business.
You need to document business activities like meetings, conferences, and business dinners (not Tinder dates).
And yes, “networking with wine” technically counts... if someone talks business before the third glass.

✈️ Flights: Deductible If You’re Not Just Chasing Gelato

If over 50% of your days abroad are for business, your entire flight is deductible. Yes, even that $900 round trip where your knees met your chin in Economy Basic Sadness™.

If it's more sightseeing than spreadsheeting? Sorry, you just flew for the love of cheese. That’s personal.

🏨 Hotels: Deduct the Business Nights, Pay for the Pleasure Nights

That’s right—just like dating, your hotel expenses are only partially deductible.

If you're at a 3-day conference in Barcelona but decide to stay 4 extra days to frolic with Gaudí’s architecture, you can only deduct the first 3 nights.

Unless you can prove Gaudí was your client. Good luck with that.

🚢 Wait, Can You Write Off a Cruise?

Yes... but tread lightly, sailor.

The IRS only lets you deduct up to $2,000 a year for business cruises.
The cruise must be directly related to your trade or business, not your need for bottomless shrimp.
You need a detailed written agenda showing that you weren’t just “manifesting success” in the hot tub.

Moral of the story: If you’re going to try this, bring a notary and maybe a lawyer.

🍝 Business Meals Abroad: 50% Delicious, 50% Deductible

Want to write off that $70 spaghetti in Milan? Easy:

You need a business purpose (hint: “Carbs make me brainstorm better” doesn’t count).
It must involve another person, ideally someone with a LinkedIn profile.
Document who you met and what you discussed—bonus points if you doodle it on the napkin and keep it.

🧾 Three Things to Save or Your Write-Off Will Die

Receipts – Paper or digital. If it proves you paid, keep it.
Agenda/Itinerary – Your calendar should scream “WORK TRIP,” not “Eat Pray Love 2.”
Evidence of Business Activities – Emails, photos with clients, conference brochures, and not just selfies with statues.

😎 Bonus Tip: Call It a "Strategic Expansion Trip"

Don't say "I’m going to Paris to escape my kids." Say "I'm exploring cross-border growth opportunities in the European market."

See? That’s classy. And deductible.

🛫 TL;DR: Plan It Right, Deduct It Lightly

If you’re a business owner, content creator, or someone who’s good at pretending to be both, your travels might just double as a tax strategy.

Want to keep it legit? Talk to your tax pro before you go. Or if you don’t have one, hire us—we love travel, hate taxes, and know exactly where to draw the line before Uncle Sam draws handcuffs.