One of the financial advantages of locum tenens work is the ability to deduct certain travel expenses when you take a temporary assignment away from home. Hotel bills, airfare, mileage, and meals can add up quickly, so these deductions may be substantial.

But there is an important rule that locums physicians should understand:

Once an assignment is expected to last more than one year, the tax treatment changes significantly.

So if you’ve ever wondered, “Why does my tax professional charge so much?” or “Why did my fee go up this year?” this post is for you.

The short answer is this: complexity takes time, and during tax season, time is the scarcest resource in the building.

The good news? There are practical ways to make your return easier, cleaner, and sometimes less expensive to prepare.