• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Businesses
  • Nonprofits
  • Individuals & Families
  • Appointments
  • Client Portal

The Royce CPA Firm

Certified Public Accountant specializing in personal, non-profit and forensic accounting and tax preparation

February 24, 2020 By Crystal Royce

Deducting Foreign Travel

The IRS has very different rules for deducting foreign business travel and for deducting domestic business travel. This month, we’ll focus on FOREIGN business travel, and will follow up next month with the rules for deducting DOMESTIC business travel.

First, in order to deduct the full cost of transportation to a foreign country, at least 76% of your days must qualify as Business Days. There are 3 types of Business Days:

  1. Working Days
  2. Sandwich Days
  3. Travel Days

Working Day

A Working Day is defined as a day in which you work at least 4 hours and 1 minute on business. In addition to this, there must be a business reason why you had to work at this location instead of at your normal location. For example, maybe you needed to meet with a supplier, customer, or vendor. Or maybe you were attending a conference, or scoping out a future business location.

Sandwich Day

Sandwich Days are defined as days in which you only eat sandwiches. Just kidding, that would be too easy. Sandwich Days are Saturdays and Sundays that are sandwiched between a Friday Working Day and a Monday Working Day.  So this means that if you work on Friday and Monday,  then you can still deduct your lodging and meals on Saturday and Sunday, even if all you do is sightseeing!  So maybe it is pretty easy after all.

Travel Day

And then the best part is that Travel Days also count towards the 76% Business Days test, so long as you’re traveling for at least 4 hours and 1 minute, and of course that there’s a business reason for your travel to the foreign country.

So there you have it. If you meet the 76% test and document your itinerary, daily time records, business purpose for traveling, and copies of receipts, you can DEDUCT YOUR FULL TRIP! (airfare, ground travel, lodging, meals, internet, tips, etc.) (But not your sightseeing entrance fees or other entertainment costs.)

So the next time you’re traveling internationally for business, text a picture of you eating a sandwich on one of your sandwich days to 520.321.4626 so we can share your story!

Filed Under: Deductions, Travel

Primary Sidebar

Client Portal Login

Forgot Password?

Schedule an Appointment

Use Our Online Form

Contact

3075 N Swan Rd.
Tucson, AZ 85712
email: ana@theroycecpafirm.com
tel: (520) 321-4626
fax: (520) 325-1121

About Us

Crystal Royce is an accountant turned entrepreneur with a passion for studying business. Inspired by books such as The E-Myth and The Checklist Manifesto, she started The Royce CPA Firm as a sole-proprietor in 2013 with a handful of clients and a dream. Her dream was to build an accounting firm that provided a consistent experience for all of its customers, regardless of which professional signed their tax return or managed their books.

Read about all our staff

Testimonials

An Extraordinarily Talented, Charming, Efficient, and Delightful Team

Crystal Royce and Jason Cummins have transformed our perceptions of what an accounting firm, a CPA, and personalized, creative service mean. We were referred to Crystal this year by a trusted friend who promised a unique experience coupled with amazing knowledge and diligence – and he was understated.

Crystal analyzed our 2018 return “prepared” by another firm, and developed a series of options for us to consider in looking back and redoing the return, all of which would improve our position.
We selected one based upon a collective consensus, and, well, we are getting a 40% refund of the total additional taxes assessed and paid in 2018.

Their thorough working knowledge of the tax codes across all disciplines is impressive and top shelf. Their communication, turnaround time, and general philosophy are, at once, unique, effective, and most enjoyable.

Should you have any doubts about your current provider, I couldn’t recommend strongly enough that you take the time to meet with Chrystal and her team – you will not regret it.

Lanny Chase
Tucson

Lanny Chase
The Turquoise Inn
December 6, 2019
Read more testimonials
Crystal is amazing!

Crystal is amazing! I had many years of bad experiences with 2 other CPA’s. When I was referred to Crystal from another client of hers and met her, she was literally everything I hoped to have in a CPA! She is extremely knowledgeable and what she doesn’t know, she is not afraid to say she doesn’t and quick to find the answer. She has been very helpful in other areas of my business and I would HIGHLY recommend her to ALL my friends or anyone looking for a CPA.

Scott Rose
Scott Rose Inc
February 20, 2018
Read more testimonials
Great Experience!

Ms. Royce was everything I needed from a CPA and more! She was kind, confidant and intelligent. She provided her services is a very timely manner- I couldn’t have asked for anything better! I will definitely be using her for years to come!

Rachel Margalit
January 12, 2018
Read more testimonials
Extremely knowledgeable

I had a very pleasurable time. My agent was extremely knowledgeable and polite. She should be given a raise. I contacted Mr. Oaks and he referred me to a property manager, who I hired.

Donald R Prince
January 3, 2018
Read more testimonials
Crystal clear

Crystal Royce is the CPA whose name (Crystal) elucidates her mission– radiance in her efficiency, dedicated competence, sparkling warmth and enthusiasm as a professional accountant. First-class, she is a Royce.
I no longer dread doing my taxes… her guidance really has helped.

Margaret Sue Pennington
November 17, 2017
Read more testimonials
No More Big Accounting Firms for Me

Crystal was referred by a mutual acquaintance and she has not disappointed. Each time I’ve met with her, I’ve been impressed by her demeanor and expertise. She strives to make you feel as though you are her only client and spends the time necessary to answer/provide explanations and clarifications to any questions posed. I am very happy to have moved on from using a large (and impersonal) SoCal accounting firm to someone local who genuinely cares about you and your business.

Brian Bub
MagZonie Management, LLC
October 12, 2017
Read more testimonials
Royce CPA…make it your best decision too!

Working with Crystal is one of the best decisions I’ve made. Her knowledge and thoroughness have been money savers for me. I have complete confidence in her and her ability to accurately complete all our required tax filings.

Chris Richardson
IZALE Financial Group
March 12, 2017
Read more testimonials
Great service/Very friendly staff

I hired Crystal Royce to manage my stepfather’s taxes and trust accounting after he passed away. Crystal and her staff are professional, very responsive and so nice to deal with. I highly recommend her firm.

Dagmar Serota
March 10, 2017
Read more testimonials
Warmth and Respect

From the minute I walked into her office, I was treated with such warmth and respect. Crystal Royce was so helpful, taking the time to answer all my questions and concerns.

Cecelia P Aguilar Ortiz
March 8, 2017
Read more testimonials
Concise and Insightful

Crystal was friendly and easy to talk to. She seemed to quickly grasp our business needs and provided practical suggestions—even on the first visit.

C. Byron Smith
Sunizona Family Farms
August 24, 2016
Read more testimonials
Reassuring to me!

Crystal Royce exudes CPA efficiency, competency, and a sincere interest in doing what is in the best interest for me; last year she took time to evaluate whether it was best for my partner and I to file jointly or separately. Crystal researches previous tax years and detects any discrepancies . Additionally, she is warmly humanistic… A big bonus!

Margaret Sue Pennington
June 24, 2016
Read more testimonials
IRS nightmare over thanks to Crystal

My family and I kept getting letters from the IRS asking for money for taxes that were already paid. I exhausted every route I could find on my own, including phone calls and letters to the IRS, and then IRS ignored all of my messages and their phone service would consistently refuse to let me speak to anyone. When they sent a letter threatening to seize our assets I immediately called Crystal Royce. Within 45 minutes she resolved the entire issue and fixed everything. I’m so grateful I went to her for help, and wish I had talked to her much sooner.

Gabe Gibbons
January 6, 2016
Read more testimonials
Knowledgeable and professional

Crystal Royce is knowledgeable and professional. We feel confident knowing she will be preparing our taxes.

Sandy Sugimoto
November 2, 2015
Read more testimonials
Crystal Royce Rocks!!

The Kirby Decree: Crystal Royce will be our CPA for as long as we are in Tucson, AZ!! We have been coming to her for the past couple years now and it just seems that tax season is a friendly season now because she makes it so easy and pleasant. SUPER Friendly! SUPER Professional!! SUPER AWESOME!! HIGHLY Recommended!

Kendell and Roxsann Kirby
April 23, 2015
Read more testimonials
To the point, educational, confident and professional

After doing research with other competitive companies, I would not work with anyone else. The Royce CPA Firm allows me to solely focus on my business and not have to manage my own finances.

Joshua Kevin Lyle
Lyell Dent Company
April 23, 2015
Read more testimonials
Arizona based Non-Profit Help

The Royce CPA firm has had the expertise to guide our local non-profit step by step in the accounting process as we build our organization. Professional, knowledgeable and friendly service makes Royce CPA the perfect fit for our always growing and changing accounting needs. Thank you Crystal and staff! Miriam Delicado Executive Director, The Great Gathering Non-Profit

Miriam Delicado
The Great Gathering of Humanity Inc.
February 10, 2015
Read more testimonials
Quickbooks experts

I have had the pleasure of working with Crystal during the last year. We initially engaged with her firm on a specific project and have since become a client for all corporate tax work. Crystal is careful, thorough and easy to work with. She explains things well and has first-hand knowledge of QuickBooks which makes troubleshooting a much easier task than it has been in the past with previous CPA’s. I highly recommend the Royce CPA Firm!

Steve Henry
Northwest Exterminating
January 12, 2015
Read more testimonials
Amazing help!

Crystal was extremely helpful with my taxes, making sure to answer every question thoroughly. Everything was a breeze and it made my intimidating freelance taxes quite painless! I look forward to continuing to work with her in the future.

Suzie Nieman
January 12, 2015
Read more testimonials
Thank you!

It was so great to meet with you. Your company is so professional and diversified.  Thank you for trusting in me and for your support.

Jayne H.
Remedy Intelligent Staffing
November 18, 2013
Read more testimonials
Non-profit accounting

Crystal knows non-profit accounting AND she know how to help NON financial people understand the ins and out of proper accounting and financial statements. She was WONDERFUL to work with and values transparency, integrity and professionalism. I would recommend her HIGHLY to any non profit looking for a GREAT CPA!

Ali B.
Licensed Medicare Educator and Medicare Supplement Sales
November 18, 2013
Read more testimonials
Forensic accounting for non-profits

As a board member for a local non-profit, we hired Crystal as a forensic accountant. She gave us some extremely valuable information up front. She was very knowledgeable and prompt with her work. I would definitely recommend her.

Lynne H.
May Himmer & Company, PLLC
November 18, 2013
Read more testimonials
The Royce CPA Firm is The Best.

Crystal Royce is a remarkable CPA – last year, my wife and I expected to pay thousands of dollars in taxes. Instead, we got a refund, and Crystal went through previous tax years and saved us hundreds more that our previous CPA’s had missed. She’s a lifesaver, and I am always happy to refer my friends, family, and fellow business owners to her.

Steve McMackin
Impulse Nine Media
November 13, 2013
Read more testimonials

(520) 321-4626 · 3075 N Swan Rd. Tucson, AZ 85712
© 2021 The Royce CPA Firm · Join our Team · Site by I9M