Anybody here use their RV for business purposes?
I couldn't find much information on the internet regarding business use of an RV, so I thought I’d try some of the RV forums and see if there are a few people here who use an RV in their business.
I currently own an internet company (NAICS code: 519130) and have been in business since 1999. I provide services to both consumers and businesses. I have over 20,000 clients and have never personally met any of them. I'm thinking it's about time I start meeting my current clientele (in addition to meeting new ones), thus the reason for my wanting to purchase an RV for my business. I hate hotels, I hate eating out, I hate flying commercially, and I hate unfamiliarity... so the only logical choice in my opinion for taking my business on the road would be an RV.
Tentatively, my plans are to start out small to more or less test the waters, and to see if using an RV as a business tool would be worthwhile and profitable to my business. My plans are to purchase a 2016 Dodge Ram 3500 and a 2016 Keystone Raptor 5th wheel to start off with. Both units will be factory ordered to my specs and will be wrapped with my company graphics upon delivery. My reasoning for going with a 5th wheel toy hauler, is because I figure once I reach my destination points, I can un-hook and either use the P/U, the Harley, or the UTV (depending on the local laws) for transportation to call on my clients and make new sales.
For those of you here who run a business from their RV, I have a few questions for you if you don’t mind. My accountant suggested I get some input from people who are in a like or similar business on how they handle their expenses and records.
Basically I just want to know how did you initially expense your RV purchase? Did you do a Sec. 179, or did you go with regular depreciation? If regular depreciation, how long is your amortization period. How detailed are the records you keep, and how do you account for any "personal use"? Do you deduct your actual park expenses, or do you take the standard lodging per diem? Same with meals... actual expenses or the daily per diem?
Since the IRS requires a business domicile, I'll still be keeping my home and office here in AZ as my main base of operations. I plan on being on the road at least 6 months out of the year, so I definitely won't be a "full-timer". When I'm home, the RV will be in covered storage, and will only be used a few days or weekends here and there to promote my business locally.
For those of you out there in RV land that are using an RV in your business, please feel free to comment. I would like to hear about your experiences. Thank you in advance...
I currently own an internet company (NAICS code: 519130) and have been in business since 1999. I provide services to both consumers and businesses. I have over 20,000 clients and have never personally met any of them. I'm thinking it's about time I start meeting my current clientele (in addition to meeting new ones), thus the reason for my wanting to purchase an RV for my business. I hate hotels, I hate eating out, I hate flying commercially, and I hate unfamiliarity... so the only logical choice in my opinion for taking my business on the road would be an RV.
Tentatively, my plans are to start out small to more or less test the waters, and to see if using an RV as a business tool would be worthwhile and profitable to my business. My plans are to purchase a 2016 Dodge Ram 3500 and a 2016 Keystone Raptor 5th wheel to start off with. Both units will be factory ordered to my specs and will be wrapped with my company graphics upon delivery. My reasoning for going with a 5th wheel toy hauler, is because I figure once I reach my destination points, I can un-hook and either use the P/U, the Harley, or the UTV (depending on the local laws) for transportation to call on my clients and make new sales.
For those of you here who run a business from their RV, I have a few questions for you if you don’t mind. My accountant suggested I get some input from people who are in a like or similar business on how they handle their expenses and records.
Basically I just want to know how did you initially expense your RV purchase? Did you do a Sec. 179, or did you go with regular depreciation? If regular depreciation, how long is your amortization period. How detailed are the records you keep, and how do you account for any "personal use"? Do you deduct your actual park expenses, or do you take the standard lodging per diem? Same with meals... actual expenses or the daily per diem?
Since the IRS requires a business domicile, I'll still be keeping my home and office here in AZ as my main base of operations. I plan on being on the road at least 6 months out of the year, so I definitely won't be a "full-timer". When I'm home, the RV will be in covered storage, and will only be used a few days or weekends here and there to promote my business locally.
For those of you out there in RV land that are using an RV in your business, please feel free to comment. I would like to hear about your experiences. Thank you in advance...
