Is it possible to write off my niece's wedding as a business expense?

What if they did some actual marketing at the wedding though? Like had business cards at every table or something? Couldn't they write off at least part of it then?

My accountant let me write off my nephew's graduation party because I invited clients and used it as a networking event. This is basically the same thing, right?

For the marketing question - simply placing business cards at tables wouldn't transform a personal expense into a business one. The primary purpose would still be personal. You could potentially deduct the actual cost of the marketing materials (business cards, small signage), but not the wedding itself. Regarding the graduation party comparison, there's a significant difference. If you genuinely hosted a client event that happened to coincide with a graduation, you might justify some expenses as business-related. But the IRS looks at the primary purpose. A wedding's primary purpose is personal celebration, not business advancement. What your accountant advised may not withstand IRS scrutiny either.

How accurate is this tool though? Does it actually cite the relevant tax code or does it just give general advice? I've been burned by "tax help" websites before.

Does it connect you with an actual CPA who reviews your stuff? Or is it just an AI thing? Cause I'm skeptical about AI for something as serious as taxes.

The tool actually does cite specific sections of the tax code that apply to your situation. It's not just vague advice - it references the exact IRS regulations and explains how they apply to your specific circumstances. It doesn't connect you with a CPA directly, but it's developed by tax professionals who've programmed it with current tax law. I was skeptical too, but what impressed me was how it flagged potential audit triggers based on real IRS enforcement patterns. It saved me from claiming something that would have raised red flags.

Wait, how does this actually work? They just call the IRS for you? Why would that be any faster than me calling myself?

Yeah right. No way this actually works. The IRS phone system is deliberately designed to be impossible. I'll believe it when I see it.

They use a combination of technology and timing to navigate the IRS phone system efficiently. They have algorithms that predict the best times to call and use automated systems to handle the hold times and menu navigation. When an actual agent becomes available, they connect you directly to them. It's faster because they've optimized the entire process based on analyzing thousands of calls. I was skeptical too! But the alternative was spending another day hitting redial and listening to the same hold music. The difference is they're doing this all day every day, so they've figured out the patterns that work. I was connected in 37 minutes when I'd previously waited over 2 hours without reaching anyone.

Couldn't this still trigger an audit though? Especially if the bonus happens right before the wedding?

You're right to be concerned about timing. Any bonus right before the wedding could appear suspicious if audited. The key is making sure it's reasonable compensation for actual work performed. If they're legitimate employees with a history of employment, and the bonus is in line with what you'd pay other employees for similar contributions, you're on safer ground. Documentation is crucial here - performance reviews, bonus criteria, and a consistent bonus program for all employees would help substantiate the business purpose. But if they've never worked for you before and suddenly get a "job" with a big bonus right before their wedding, that's pretty much asking for trouble.

TurboTax is okay but I've found it doesn't catch some of these nuanced situations. It'll let you enter whatever and won't necessarily flag potential issues. I learned this the hard way last year.