You’ve been working hard. You finally booked that dream trip to Hawaii (or let’s be honest, maybe just a quiet long weekend away from client sessions). And now you’re wondering…
“Can I write off this vacation as a business expense?”
You’ve probably heard whispers in Facebook groups or therapist forums: “Just write it off as a business retreat!” or “Talk about therapy once and it counts!”
Let’s pump the brakes on how to deduct vacation as a therapist.
The IRS has some very specific rules when it comes to deducting travel expenses – and unfortunately, “I really needed a break” doesn’t qualify as a tax strategy.
The Bad News: You Can’t Deduct Personal Vacations
Let’s just get this out of the way:
If your trip was entirely personal, it is not deductible.
Even if you answered a client email while sipping a piña colada. Even if you had an amazing therapeutic insight while hiking through Sedona. Even if you meant to make it a business trip, but didn’t quite get around to it.
The IRS cares about your intent and your documentation, not your vibes.
The Good News: You Can Deduct Some Work Travel
Here’s how it can work if you plan it right.
If you travel primarily for business, you can deduct:
- Transportation (flights, trains, mileage)
- Lodging on business days
- 50% of meals
- Registration fees or conference costs
- Internet, printing, etc.
Let’s say you go to a continuing ed conference in another city. You fly there Wednesday, attend the event Thursday and Friday, and fly home Saturday. That’s a legitimate business trip. If you decide to stay until Sunday and relax a bit, that’s fine—you just can’t deduct the vacation part.
The key is this: The primary purpose of the trip must be business.
And yes, you’ll need documentation. Save your receipts, registration emails, and maybe even keep a little itinerary or calendar. (Future You at audit time will thank you.)
What About “Workcations” or Retreats?
Ah, the elusive “business retreat.”
If you and your therapy besties decide to rent a house and do goal-setting sessions in the morning and beach time in the afternoon, can you deduct it?
Maybe… but it’s tricky.
You’ll need:
- An agenda
- Notes from the sessions
- A business purpose (e.g. planning, peer consultation, training)
- Clear documentation that the trip was structured around work
If it’s mostly sunbathing with a little goal talk thrown in? The IRS isn’t buying it.
Don’t Play Chicken With the IRS
We’re not saying you should never combine business and leisure. That can be a smart way to reduce costs.
But calling your vacation a business trip just to get a tax break? That’s a great way to end up explaining yourself to a not-so-fun IRS agent.
Want to Plan Smarter Travel?
We help therapists figure out what’s legit, what’s risky, and how to make the most of their business deductions without crossing into audit territory.
Whether you’re planning a real retreat, going to a conference, or just curious what counts, we’ve got your back.
Let us help you make it make sense.
TL;DR:
You can’t deduct personal vacations, even if you think about therapy while you’re there. But if the primary purpose of your trip is business—and you document it—you can deduct travel expenses. Conferences, retreats, and CE trips might qualify, but lazy beach days with “goal vibes” won’t cut it with the IRS.
