I am helping my son with babysitting. My house is in PA but I am temporarily helping him in NE.

I spoke with the IRS via phone about income and expenses from babysitting. He told me I could deduct all of my living expenses. Is this a valid position?

If the IRS told you you could deduct expenses, then I don't see why you are asking here. Am I missing something in your inquiry ?

Tick

If the IRS told you you could deduct expenses, then I dont see why you are asking here. Am I missing something in your inquiry ?

tick Yes, During one of my many audits, the IRS told me that any information received over the phone from an IRS phone correspondent is not the official IRS position nor a legitimate defense should an audit occur. I was hoping to find someone who did what I'm thinking to do and it passed IRS scrutiny.

Thanks

I'm confused, how are you helping him? Is any money changing hands?

I am going to assume that (a) your son is paying you for baby sitting purposes, (b) you will be documenting this income on your tax return as self-employment income, and hence will be paying social security taxes on it. Will your son be issuing you a 1099 form to document your wages? Your travel and living expenses can be deducted, as long as this is a temporary job (that is, you reasonably expect to be "on assignment" away from home for less than 1 year).

I agree with ebaines.

Provided you properly document your expenses and the income earned from your son, you can claim the traveling and living expenses on the Schedule C.

Now you should NOT claim MORE in expenses than the income earned, simply because your employer is a blood relation to you. The IRS looks at any financial transaction between family members very carefully.