Can I deduct expenses as a new travel blogger for tax purposes? Small business vs. hobby question

Thanks for this response. Question - does it matter that we're doing this travel for fun first, blog second? Like we were going to take this trip regardless of starting a blog. Does that affect how the IRS views those travel expenses?

If you were planning the trip regardless of the blog, then the primary purpose of the travel is personal, which makes deducting those expenses difficult. The IRS will look at your primary motivation for each expense. For the laptop and camera, if you can demonstrate they're used primarily (over 50%) for business purposes, you can likely deduct the business-use percentage. Same for the blogging course. But for flights and accommodations, you'd need to show they were primarily for business purposes, not personal enjoyment, which sounds challenging given what you've described.

Does taxr.ai handle the specific case of travel expenses? That's what OP seems most concerned about. I'm thinking of starting a photography blog myself and wondering if this would help me figure out what camera gear I can write off.

I'm skeptical about using random tax tools online. How do you know it gives accurate advice? Did you have any issues when filing?

Yes, taxr.ai specifically helps with travel expense categorization. It asks detailed questions about each trip's primary purpose and helps you separate business from personal portions. For your photography blog, it would help determine what percentage of your gear is deductible based on business vs. personal use. I was initially skeptical too, but their guidance references specific IRS publications and tax court cases. I've used it for two filing seasons now with no issues. My accountant actually praised the documentation it helped me prepare, especially for mixed-purpose expenses like my laptop and travel costs.

How does this actually work? I thought it was impossible to get through to the IRS without waiting for hours.

Sounds like a scam. No way someone can magically get you through the IRS phone tree faster than everyone else. They probably just charge you to wait on hold.

It's actually pretty simple - they use a system that continuously redials the IRS until they get through, then transfer the call to you once they have an agent on the line. I got a text when they connected, jumped on the call, and the IRS agent was already there. They're not doing anything magical - just automating the frustrating redial process that would otherwise take up your entire day. And they definitely don't stay on the call - that would defeat the purpose of saving your time. The IRS doesn't care who dialed the number, they just answer questions once you're connected.

That's a great tip! Would you recommend doing this before we leave on our trip? And would you recommend an LLC for a travel blog or is a sole proprietorship sufficient?

Yes, definitely set up the EIN and business bank account before you leave! It'll make tracking expenses during your trip much cleaner. Use that dedicated card for all business purchases and keep digital copies of receipts with notes about their business purpose. For a new travel blog, a sole proprietorship is usually sufficient to start. An LLC provides liability protection, but for content creation, that's typically less necessary than for businesses with physical locations or products. You can always convert to an LLC later as your business grows. The tax treatment is identical for a single-member LLC and sole proprietorship anyway.

What apps do you use for tracking? Trying to figure out the best system for my own blog.

This is incredibly helpful advice! I'm just starting to think about content creation for my photography hobby and the documentation aspect seems overwhelming. Do you have any recommendations for apps or tools that make tracking daily business activities easier? Also, when you mention setting up affiliate accounts before leaving - are there specific ones you'd recommend for travel bloggers? I want to make sure I'm setting myself up for success from the beginning rather than trying to backtrack later.

For tracking daily activities, I use a combination of Google Sheets (for expense logging) and a simple notes app where I jot down what I did each day. The key is consistency - even 2-3 sentences per day like "Filmed morning routine at hostel, edited 2 videos, researched local food spots for tomorrow's content" helps establish business purpose. For affiliate programs, start with the basics: Amazon Associates (great for gear recommendations), Booking.com or Airbnb affiliates for accommodations, and travel insurance companies like World Nomads. Many credit card companies also have referral programs that pay well. The key is applying now so you have active accounts when you start creating content. Also consider reaching out to travel gear companies directly - many smaller brands are eager to work with new creators if you have a solid content plan. Having these relationships established before you leave shows the IRS you're treating this as a real business venture, not just documenting a vacation.

For tracking daily activities, I use a combination of Google Sheets (for expense tracking) and a simple notes app where I jot down what I did each day. The key is consistency - even 2-3 sentences per day about your business activities adds up to solid documentation. For affiliate programs, start with Amazon Associates (easy approval, covers gear recommendations), Booking.com's affiliate program (great for travel bloggers), and maybe Airbnb's if they're still accepting new partners. Also look into travel gear companies like REI, Patagonia, or camera brands - many have affiliate programs. The goal isn't huge earnings initially, just establishing those revenue streams to show business intent. One tip: screenshot your applications to these programs with timestamps. It shows you were actively pursuing monetization from the start, which strengthens your business case with the IRS.

For tracking daily activities, I use a combination of Google Sheets (for expense logging) and a simple notes app where I jot down what I accomplished each day. The key is consistency - even 2-3 sentences per day like "filmed 3 restaurant reviews, wrote draft post about temple visit, responded to collaboration email from hotel" helps establish business intent. For affiliate programs, start with the basics: Amazon Associates (for gear recommendations), Booking.com affiliate program, and travel credit card referrals since you mentioned you already do those. Many travel bloggers also use programs like Get Your Guide for tours/activities and travel insurance affiliates. The important thing is having these set up and disclosed properly on your site before you start earning. One tip: create a simple media kit (even basic) before you leave and reach out to a few hostels/hotels along your route asking about collaboration opportunities. Even if they just comp a night in exchange for a review, it shows revenue generation intent that the IRS looks for.

For tracking, I use a combination of tools: QuickBooks Self-Employed for expenses (auto-categorizes and tracks mileage), and a simple Google Sheets template for daily activity logs. The key is consistency - I spend 5 minutes each evening logging what I did. For affiliate programs, start with these travel-friendly ones: Amazon Associates (gear reviews), Booking.com, Airbnb (if you qualify), and travel insurance companies like World Nomads. Also consider Skillshare, MasterClass, and language learning apps since travel content often touches these topics. Pro tip: Document your application process for these programs - save emails, approval letters, etc. This shows the IRS timeline of your business setup efforts. Even rejected applications can demonstrate business intent, so keep those records too. The photography angle is great for affiliate marketing - camera gear, editing software, and online courses are all high-value categories. Start reaching out to camera manufacturers for potential partnerships too, even as a beginner. The outreach attempt itself shows business activity.

For tracking daily activities, I use a combination of Google Sheets (for expenses) and a simple notes app for daily business logs. The key is consistency - I spend 5 minutes each evening documenting what I did. For travel affiliate programs, start with Amazon Associates (easy approval), Booking.com, and Expedia. Also consider travel gear companies like REI, Patagonia, or camera brands if that fits your content. Set these up with your business email and EIN once you get it. Pro tip: Screenshot your application confirmations and keep records of when you applied. This shows the IRS you were setting up revenue streams from the beginning, which strengthens your business intent case significantly.