Dear IRS,
You’ll probably never read this letter. But small business owners will. And choruses of Amen will be sung throughout the home offices, mobile offices, and real offices of America.
Small business is the backbone of our economy. And in a time of such national division, I believe there is one thing all business owners can agree on. We need vacations. And we’d really love to deduct them on our taxes!
Here’s the truth of the matter. We work hard. And then when it’s time to unplug, we find ourselves sneaking a peak at the latest updated numbers. Or texting under the table with a deal we are about to close. For us to get away from our business, we literally have to leave town, the state, or possibly even the country!
And we desperately need these vacations! Our business relies on us being sane, rational and creative. Nothing kills our entrepreneurial spirit faster than burnout. And guess what causes burnout? Months of work with no breaks.
When we actually take the time to go on vacation and unplug from life we come back refreshed and with great ideas for growing our businesses. (After the first day where we have to force ourselves back into our inbox, that is.) I once recreated my entire sales system after a particularly relaxing trip to Savannah, Ga. It resulted in a large increase in annual revenue, and an increase in hiring.
So if you really think about it. When a small business owner takes a vacation, it increases the GNP and job creation.
Vacations also make us nicer and more enjoyable to work for. If we had the energy, we would probably do a better job developing talent in our team members. That could increase corporate skills all across the nation. And we’d get more “World’s greatest boss” mugs, which would again, increase the GNP.
So IRS adjusters, please stop making us stretch to find ways to write off our vacations as business travel. We don’t really want to hold that meeting in the midst of our trip. Or to combine a book tour with a family reunion. We really just want to play. And we want you to support us.
Sincerely,
Amy Walker
Written by an entrepreneur who hasn’t had a vacation in far too long, and who was also coming up dry on ideas for her weekly article. Unfortunately my next vacation is scheduled for Gatlinburg, Tn with my 5 kids and I’ll honestly need another vacation after that vacation.