[terryandrene]

There are two separate and distict events being discussed. Deductions for an auto rental and deductions for a hotel. For a taxpayer to suggest that he could have taken a legitimate deduction for a hotel, but since he didn't, he can take this other deduction whether authorized or not. Each deduction must be authorized on it's own merit; that's why I said it's a lame excuse to use the avoidance of one expense to justify an unrelated deduction...just an opinion.

I think that some scenarios of a deduction for a rental vehicle are allowable and some may not be. You may be able to justify a rental to go home while repairs are being effected to the truck, but any personal use of the vehicle while home is not deductable...just another opinion.