The 2026 World Cup in Los Angeles will draw millions of visitors. If you're a business owner planning to travel to LA during the tournament, you might be wondering if you can write off the trip. The IRS has strict rules for "mixed-purpose" travel.
Combining business and pleasure is a great perk of entrepreneurship, but the line between a legitimate business deduction and a non-deductible personal vacation is thin. Working with a Murrieta tax accountant or Southern California specialist is crucial to stay compliant.
The "Primary Purpose" Test
For travel expenses (like airfare) within the United States to be deductible, the primary purpose of the trip must be business. The IRS generally looks at how many days you spent on business activities versus personal activities.
If you spend more than 50% of your days conducting legitimate business, the trip is primarily for business. In this case, your transportation costs (flights, train tickets) are 100% deductible.
Concrete Example: An entrepreneur flies to Los Angeles for a 5-day trip. They spend 3 days meeting with clients, negotiating contracts, and viewing commercial real estate. They spend the remaining 2 days attending World Cup matches and sightseeing. Because the primary purpose was business (3 out of 5 days), the flight to LA is fully deductible. However, the World Cup tickets and personal sightseeing expenses are not.
Mixed-Purpose Travel Rules
Even if the primary purpose of your trip is business, you cannot deduct expenses that are strictly personal.
- Lodging: You can only deduct hotel costs for the days you are conducting business. If you stay an extra weekend just for the World Cup, those hotel nights are on you.
- Meals: Business meals are subject to the standard 50% deduction rule, and only on business days.
- Family Travel: If you bring your spouse or children, their travel expenses are generally not deductible unless they are bona fide employees with a legitimate business reason for the trip.
If the trip is primarily for personal reasons (e.g., you spend 4 days watching soccer and 1 day meeting a client), none of your transportation costs are deductible. You can only deduct the specific expenses directly related to that one business day (like an Uber to the client meeting and 50% of the business lunch).
Red Flags and Common Mistakes
- Lack of documentation: The IRS requires you to prove the business purpose. Keep a detailed itinerary, meeting agendas, emails, and receipts.
- "Incidental" business: Having a 30-minute coffee with a colleague does not turn a 5-day vacation into a business trip. The business activity must be substantial.
- Mixing personal funds: Always pay for legitimate business travel expenses with your business account. Proper Southern California small business accounting keeps the audit trail clean.
Travel Smart, Tax Smarter
Don't let a great trip turn into an IRS audit trigger. Fiscal Integrity Group provides expert tax planning Temecula and Southern California business owners trust to navigate complex travel deductions.
Schedule Your Free Strategy SessionDisclaimer: The information provided in this article does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or tax advice. All information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Readers should contact a licensed CPA or tax attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular legal or tax matter.
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Wiyao Awesso
Wiyao Awesso is a leading financial advisor in Los Angeles. With extensive experience in tax strategy, accounting, and fractional CFO services, he helps business owners optimize their finances, minimize tax liabilities, and scale with confidence.
