Travel & Tax: What is Deductible and What is Taxable Self-Study Course

This course demystifies one of the most confusing areas in practice: travel-related costs and benefits. It explains when travel spend can be claimed as a tax deduction (and when it can’t), and when travel provided by an employer becomes a taxable fringe benefit. The course focuses on the “grey areas” SARS often queries—such as mixed business/personal trips, allowances vs reimbursements, company-paid trips, and logbook/documentation requirements.

Who will benefit:

• Employees who travel for work (sales, consulting, field service, management)
• Self-employed individuals and small business owners who claim travel costs
• Payroll and HR staff dealing with travel allowances and reimbursements
• Junior accountants/bookkeepers handling travel claims and SARS queries

Topics Discussed:

• Travel Tax Basics — Two Big Questions
• Business Travel vs Private Travel — The Golden Rule
• Employees: Travel Allowances vs Reimbursements
• Company Vehicle vs Private Vehicle Used for Work
• Logbooks and Documentation — What SARS Wants to See
• Flights, Accommodation, Meals and Incidentals — Can You Claim Them?
• Local vs International Travel — Key Differences in Risk and Proof
• Self-Employed and Small Businesses — Travel Claims That Survive Scrutiny
• Travel Fringe Benefits and “Employer-Paid Trips”
• SARS Queries and Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)