How do I deduct business travel correctly?

Travel away from your tax home overnight for business is deductible, and the rules are generous if you follow them. You can deduct airfare, lodging, 50% of meals, rental cars, taxis, baggage, and other ordinary trip costs. The trip's primary purpose must be business, judged largely by how many days are business versus personal. On a trip that's mostly business, transportation to and from is fully deductible even if you tack on a weekend, but personal days' lodging and meals are not. Mixing in family doesn't kill the deduction — you just can't deduct their costs or your personal portion. Keep an itinerary, receipts, and notes on the business purpose of each day; that record is what protects the deduction. International and heavily personal trips have stricter day-counting rules. Conferences and client visits are classic qualifying examples.