When you own or operate an aircraft, your flight log isn’t just a record of where you’ve been—it’s a key piece of your tax documentation. The IRS and state tax authorities often require detailed logs to justify deductions, depreciation, or business-use claims. But even the most organized operators can overlook items that matter for tax purposes. At AvTax Advisors, PLLC, we review flight logs to help you stay compliant, protect your deductions, and reduce audit risk.
How Does Our Flight Log Review Process Work?
We take a close and practical approach to flight log review. Whether you’re flying under Part 91 or Part 135, our review process is tailored to your aircraft use, ownership structure, and reporting needs. Here’s what you can expect:
- We start with a consultation to understand how your aircraft is used—business, personal, or a mix.
- We review the flight log entries against supporting documents such as meeting calendars, travel records, or maintenance reports.
- We flag missing or vague entries, misclassified legs, or anything that could raise a question during an audit.
- You’ll receive a summary report with our observations and suggested corrections or improvements.
Our goal is to provide clarity, not overwhelm you with paperwork. We’ll let you know what’s working and where small changes could make a big difference.
What Documentation Do You Need in Your Flight Logs?
Your flight log needs to tell a clear story of how and why the aircraft was used. At a minimum, you should be recording:
- Date and time of each flight
- Departure and arrival locations
- Purpose of the trip (business, personal, or mixed use)
- Passenger names or initials
- Supporting notes or documentation tying flights to a business activity
We recommend using a consistent format, whether that’s digital software or a custom logbook. It’s also important to review logs regularly, not just at year-end. If corrections are needed, we can help you make them before they become a problem.
What Are the Most Common Flight Log Mistakes?
Even diligent recordkeepers can miss important details. During a review, we frequently spot:
- Vague or inconsistent purpose codes
- Gaps in documentation to support business use
- Duplicate or overlapping entries
- Personal trips mistakenly logged as business
- Incomplete records for deadhead or positioning flights
Issues like these can lead to disallowed deductions or IRS scrutiny. Many aircraft owners are surprised to learn that a few small changes could significantly strengthen their audit defense. That’s why a second set of eyes can be so valuable.
How Can Proper Flight Logs Save Money on Taxes?
Flight logs do more than keep you compliant; they also help you get the most out of available tax benefits. With clean documentation, you may be able to:
- Claim depreciation more confidently
- Deduct ordinary and necessary business expenses tied to aircraft use
- Properly allocate costs between business and personal use, avoiding underreporting or overpayment.
We review your records with these goals in mind. If we spot ways to better support deductions or reclassify usage to your benefit, we’ll let you know.
How Do Flight Logs Protect From IRS Audits?
Flight logs are one of the first things the IRS asks for during an audit involving private aircraft. If your documentation is unclear or inconsistent, it could lead to larger questions or disallowed deductions.
We help you take a proactive approach. By reviewing your logs now, we can help you avoid future problems. If questions do arise, you’ll be ready with clean records that support your case.
Why Work With AvTax Advisors?
We help aircraft owners and operators across Florida and beyond take control of their tax documentation. Whether you fly for business, family, or a mix of both, we’ll help you keep your flight logs accurate, audit-ready, and aligned with your tax goals.
Our approach is thorough but practical. You don’t need to know tax code—we’ll handle that part. You just need to know your records will hold up when it matters.
Contact an Experienced Florida Flight Log Review Attorney
Contact AvTax Advisors, PLLC, today for a consultation. Let’s make sure your logs work for you, not against you.