From a tax standpoint, what is the definition of a job interview?

[Wapsie B]

I was requested by a potential employer to meet with one of the hiring people from the company. Originally I was supposed to travel to them for the interview. Then this person called and asked to meet me at an airport just a few hours away from me. He was flying into the state for some family reunion and wanted to talk to me there. We met and talked briefly about the job and my general background. After a short period this guy's sister came over to say hi to him and casually asked as to whether he was using this time as a quick way to deduct his trip to Iowa? Honestly, I'm a very forgiving person and I cut people a lot of slack. But I just cannot get it out of my head that I was simply used as a quick tax break for someone rather than being given a full-fledged interview.


So my question stands. What is the definition of a job interview in the eyes of the IRS?

[LeftyFingerPop]

1. Well, in reality...

there are 2 issues here.

1) The person will most likely be able to to write off a PORTION of his trip as business expenses because business was indeed conducted as a result of the trip. How much business is an amount that he will decide. he will decide what he is comfortable in defending. He would probably be able to make a case for that feeble encounter to be considered a "job interview", because he will exaggerate the scope of it.

2) Were you used? Hard to say, but possibly. It depends on other factors. Did he say he would contact you again for a more formal interview?

[Wapsie B]

2. Yeah I agree with #1.

He did say he would contact me again for a more formal interview.

[petronius]

3. I really don't think it's worth worrying about

I think that for a lot of people, the idea of "writing stuff off" is a fascinating and funny topic that they like to joke about but have little to no understanding of. I'm guessing the sister is one of these people. IMO, I don't think you should make any inferences about the company base on her rude behavior.

Good luck with the job search!

[Wapsie B]

5. Thanks!

I wasn't thinking her to be rude actually just him using the occasion as a flimsy excuse for a nice write-off. Just something I was wondering about.
Thanks for the good wishes.

[petronius]

4. I really don't think it's worth worrying about

I think that for a lot of people, the idea of "writing stuff off" is a fascinating and funny topic that they like to joke about but have little to no understanding of. I'm guessing the sister is one of these people. IMO, I don't think you should make any inferences about the company base on her rude behavior.

Good luck with the job search!

On edit: Apparently, I feel really really strongly about this!

[pitohui]

6. oh you were used all right

i don't think the guy is using you for a tax write-off, i think he is probably billing his company for the airfare to visit his sister because of the job "interview" -- it would only make sense that he was using you for a tax write-off if you were meeting an owner or partner of the company rather than an employee of the company -- a tax break is only a percentage of the cost of travel, but if he can get his company to pay his airfare, wow, that's a free round-trip flight to visit sis, isn't it?

i'm quite confident the company paid his airfare to fly out and "interview" you and just by coincidence, wow, he gets to meet up with his family too

so, yeah, you were used

not to say that you aren't also a serious candidate for the job, but you may be or you may not be, if he wanted to go to that airport anyway, he might have pulled your file and decided to give you an ear where he might not have done so ordinarily

if it gave you a chance to sell yourself you wouldn't otherwise have, i don't see the problem, but if you feel there was never a chance you'd be hired for the job, not sure what you can do about it, but i don't think reporting it to the IRS will accomplish anything except make you look silly

[Wapsie B]

7. I see what you're saying.

I just was wondering about it now that tax season is upon us.