Show This column of questions and answers on federal tax matters is provided by the local office of the US U.S. Internal Revenue Service and is published as a public service to taxpayers The column answers questions most frequently asked by taxpayers Q I am planning to attend a convention sponsored by my employer Can I deduct travel expenses to and from the convention con eon A You may deduct the un un- reimbursed travel expenses including the cost of meals and lodging you incur in attending attending at at- tending a convention but only if you can show that your attendance attendance at at- benefits or advances the interest of your own employment employment employment em em- or business The agenda of the convention need I not deal specifically with your official duties It is sufficient if the agenda is so related to I your duties and responsibilities I that attendance for a business purpose is indicated If your wife accompanies you to the business convention that portion of the expenses attributable attributable at at- to her travel meals and lodging are not deductible unless you can establish a abona abona bona bonn fide business purpose for her presence Incidental ices such as typing notes assisting assisting assisting as as- in entertaining customers customers customers cus cus- etc are not sufficient to warrant the deduction Q Several of my friends and andI I are setting up an investment club dub as a partnership How will we be taxed on partnership earnings A A partner must include as income on Schedule E of Form 1040 his distributive share as defined in the partnership partnership partnership part part- agreement of all aU partnership earnings gains losses deductions or credits regardless of his actual with with- The partnership al although although although al- al though it pays no tax must file an annual information return return return re re- re- re turn Form 1065 This shows the results of the partnerships partnership's partnerships partnership's partnerships partnership's partner partner- ships ship's operations for its tax year and the items of income gain loss deduction or credit affecting its partners' partners individual individual individual ual income tax returns For more information on I investment clubs established as partnerships see IRS Publication Publication Pub Pub- Tax Information Information tion on Investment Income and Expenses Its It's available free freeby freeby freeby by dropping a postcard to your Internal Revenue district office Q My Iy son is paying his own college tuition this year Will this ha have hae e any effect on whether or not I can claim his as a dependent dependent de de- de pendent A Yes Payments for educational educational educational edu edu- expenses are counted in determining total support If you and your son furnish his total support for the year and your son spent more on support items such as food shelter clothing education etc than you spent for his support you will not be able to claim him as a dependent Q Is it possible for me to reduce the amount of tax withheld withheld with with- held from my pay A Yes This is done by filing fil filing flu flu- ing a new W 4 form with your employer claiming all aU the exemptions to which you are entitled In addition you may also qualify to claim the new special withholding allowance For details see your employer or call your local IRS office |