Business Conventions & Seminars--Tax Considerations
July 16th, 2025 at 6:43 AM
You and your business likely benefit from attending business conventions and seminars. It’s essential to know which expenses you can deduct—and how to ensure they qualify.
As a business owner, you might assume that if a seminar is “business related,” it’s automatically deductible. But that’s not always the case. The IRS sets specific requirements depending on the location of the event. To help you keep your deductions intact, here’s what you need to know.
Three Categories of Events
Conventions and seminars fall into one of three tax categories:
- North American
- Foreign
- Cruise ship
North American conventions—including those in places like Jamaica, New York, Mexico, Chicago, and Puerto Rico—are generally deductible as long as attending benefits your business. The IRS defines “North America” broadly, based on specific treaties and agreements.
Foreign conventions and seminars are those that take place outside the North American area and have stricter rules. To qualify, the event must directly relate to your trade or business, and it must be as reasonable to hold it abroad as within North America. You’ll likely need an international audience and clear justification.
Cruise ship conventions face the most limitations. The ship must be U.S.-flagged and make all stops in the U.S. or U.S. territories. Furthermore, lawmakers cap the deduction at $2,000 per year. Both you and the event organizer must supply statements of attendance with your tax return.
Documentation Requirements
Regardless of your business structure, documentation is essential. For sole proprietors, deduct the expenses directly. If you operate as a corporation, either pay through the corporate account or submit an expense report for reimbursement. Regardless of the method, make sure the corporation has the required documentation in its records.
Deductions
You can deduct the cost of the event, your travel, and daily expenses—but only if the event qualifies under the rules.
Mark S. Fineberg, CPA