house sitter

[Bucky]

Client lives in Michigan and has rentals in several states such as Ohio and Alabama. Can she deduct the expense of a house sitter. She has several pets that need taken care of while away. All travel is several days at the least.

[Burke]

I would say no. This is primarily a personal expense. Had the same question a while back for a client who traveled to another state to fulfill a temporary employment contract.

[Nashville]

Personal Expenses

I say "No" to deducting a pet-sitter.

But what about such things as mowing the yard, maintaining a modicum of house cleanliness which could otherwise be a problem after several days, bringing in the mail, safeguarding the premises, etc.????

I say "No" to all of the above also, unless child-care is involved, which qualifies for a credit.

[Gretel]

Aren't these costs part of "keeping up your home", which is a requirement to take "away from home expenses"?

I assume this is what your client also want to take anyway.

[ChEAr$]

No way

Aren't these costs part of "keeping up your home", which is a requirement to take "away from home expenses"?

I assume this is what your client also want to take anyway.

pets are not necessary to "keeping up your home."
Not even if one is a guard dog.

[erchess]

Where In TTB or elsewhere

can I read about the deductability of the certain costs of maintaining the home while one is away on business? I have to admit that I am intrigued.

For example, what if I decided to have a new roof and complete painting while I am away at a conference? Common sense says that's not allowed but I can see a rationale for paying someone to do things that cannot reasonably be put off until I return and that I would normally perform myself such as lawn care, bringing in the mail and paper and so on although the fact that I could have those deliveries suspended does give me pause. Also if I always pay someone to take care of the lawn then my going out of town surely does not convert a personal expense into a business expense.

[Gretel]

pets are not necessary to "keeping up your home."
Not even if one is a guard dog.

Sorry, I should have been more clear. I meant quite the opposite and was relating to necessary costs to keep up the home like repairs and garden care etc. I didn't think any costs for keeping up the home would be deductible if one takes "away from home" expenses.

It's just a factor to determine if one indeed keeps up a home.

[S T]

A different approach

But, if you look to Pub 527 for Travel for Rentals it says
https://Travel expenses. You can ded...blication 463.

I would not think that having a "house/pet sitter] at the t/p residence would be an ordinary and necessary expense to be deducted on her rental schedules under Travel. It would be for the t/p convenience and not an ordinary and necessary expense for the actual rentals.

Sandy

Sandy