RV's Deductable on Taxes?

[JMJCSIM]

I know that we can deduct the interest off of our taxes, but does anyone depreciate the cost of their RV for business use? I use our motorhome when I travel rather than staying in hotel rooms, but I am unsure if I can deduct the depreciation. I claim that I can deduct the business use % off of my taxes but my DW is a little nervous about doing this. I usually travel 400 miles away from home twice a month and stay overnight in the motorhome. Any CPA's out there?

[JMJCSIM]

I know that we can deduct the interest off of our taxes, but does anyone depreciate the cost of their RV for business use? I use our motorhome when I travel rather than staying in hotel rooms, but I am unsure if I can deduct the depreciation. I claim that I can deduct the business use % off of my taxes but my DW is a little nervous about doing this. I usually travel 400 miles away from home twice a month and stay overnight in the motorhome. Any CPA's out there?

[jfb]

It would seem to me that if you use the RV for OCCASSIONAL business travel, it would legitmate to claim related MILEAGE and and OTHER BUSINESS EXPENSES RELATED TO THAT TRIP.

Unfortunately, you will have to use IRS mileage allowance rather than the $0.50-$0.60 per mile that it actually costs, but you can probably claim related camping fees, which are probably less than motel/hotel costs if you took you car on a business trip.

Meals???? What is the IRS per diem allowance?

Interest, you can claim that anyway as a second home, or as a business expense if you purchased the rig for your business as a capital item.

Depreciation, NO, unless the rig was spec-ifically purchased for the business as a capital item.

I would treat it the same way as if you had used your car and stayed in a motel...

I would also confer with a professional tax accountant/CPA.

[Gary RVRoamer]

Jfb gave good advice. Also note that if you are taking a deduction for the RV as a second home, then you may run afoul of the rules on business use of your home if you try to depreciate or expense a portion of the fixed ownership costs. It gets complex since the RV is both a vehicle and a home.

Taking only vehicle-related mileage deductions as Jfb suggests and claiming campground expenses as if they were motel rooms should not run into any of the complications that arise with house-related things.