Can I Deduct Van Life Expenses for Work?

What the IRS actually allows for work related van life

The tax code does not care how cool your rig looks. It cares whether an expense is ordinary and necessary for your trade and whether you can prove it. Two common frameworks apply on the road. First, travel expenses while you are away from your tax home for business. Second, expenses tied to the business use of your vehicle. If you live in a van full time and have no tax home, travel costs often do not qualify as deductible travel. If you have a regular business location or residence that anchors your work life, temporary trips away for business can open the door to deductions.

Your tax home and why it matters

Your tax home is your main place of business, not where your family sleeps. If you work from a consistent city or shop and take temporary trips, lodging and meals for those trips may be deductible. If your work is indefinite on the road without a main base, travel costs can be disallowed because you are never away from a tax home.

Employee versus self employed

Self employed workers can deduct qualified business expenses on Schedule C, subject to substantiation. Employees generally cannot deduct unreimbursed job expenses under current law, unless they receive reimbursements through an accountable plan. If you are an employee, push for employer reimbursement policies.

Vehicle deductions for a work used van

You can choose the standard mileage rate or the actual expense method. With standard mileage, you track business miles and multiply by the IRS rate, covering fuel, wear, and some operating costs. With actual expenses, you track fuel, maintenance, insurance, registration, tires, and depreciation, then apply your business use percentage. Heavy vehicles may qualify for Section 179 or bonus depreciation, subject to limits and business use thresholds. You must keep a mileage log that shows date, destination, purpose, and miles.

Home office and a mobile workspace

A home office deduction can apply if a specific area in your van is used regularly and exclusively as your principal place of business or where you meet clients. It must be a defined, dedicated workspace, not a kitchen table that doubles for everything. Qualifying space can allow a portion of costs and also help substantiate business use of the vehicle.

Interest, sales tax, and the “home” test

If your van has sleeping, cooking, and toilet facilities, it may meet the definition of a home for certain interest deductions when financed with a secured loan. That is different from business expenses, and limits apply. Always separate personal home related items from business deductions and consult a professional before claiming them.

What can be deducted on the road

During a bona fide business trip away from your tax home, lodging may be deductible. For van life, that can include campground fees or parking where you sleep as a substitute for a hotel. Meals are typically fifty percent deductible, whether using actual receipts or per diem for self employed if allowed in your situation. Internet and phone can be deducted based on business use percentage. That includes mobile hotspots or satellite internet when needed for work. Tools and equipment used only for business are deductible. Vehicle add ons used in your trade, such as cargo storage, specialty racks, or work lighting, can be capitalized and depreciated if part of the business asset.

Not everything on the road is deductible. Scenic detours, family time, and personal upgrades do not become write offs just because they happen in a van. If a trip blends business and personal time, you can often deduct the business days while excluding purely personal days. Keep a calendar that marks meetings, events, job sites, or content production days and retain receipts.

Documentation that holds up

Audits are won with notes, not memory. Keep:

• A mileage log with dates, routes, and purpose
• Receipts for fuel, sites, repairs, and equipment
• A digital calendar and emails showing appointments and deliverables
• Photos or files that tie the work activity to locations and dates

Strong documentation lets you choose methods confidently and switch between standard mileage and actual expenses when permitted in later years.

A quick checklist before you file

• Do you have a tax home or a regular business base
• Was the trip temporary and primarily for business
• Did you separate personal time and costs
• Do you have a mileage log and receipts
• Are you an employee who should seek reimbursement

Where a purpose built van helps

Clarity is everything. A layout with a defined workstation, secure equipment storage, and clean power distribution makes it easier to separate business use and keep records straight. Purpose built systems also reduce downtime that can wreck your logs and income. If your work model includes regular trips for clients, shoots, events, or job sites, consider a van that is configured for that mission.

OZK Customs builds work ready adventure platforms with quiet power, lighting, and storage that support productive days on the road. Explore our recreational vans to see how a travel friendly workspace can fit your workflow. For a ground up solution, review our custom build vans. If you prefer a financeable platform as a starting point, check out our mainstream vans.

Always consult a qualified tax professional. This guide is general information, not tax advice.

Plan your build and protect your time

A well designed van does not create deductions on its own, but it can make your work days smoother and your records cleaner. Tell us how you operate, the gear you carry, and where you travel. We will map power, storage, and layout to your business routine so you can focus on the work that pays the bills.

Share your goals and schedule a consult.