Online Tax program for truckers?

Discussion in 'Trucker Taxes and Truck Financing' started by ziggystyles, Jan 8, 2008.

  1. ziggystyles

    ziggystyles Road Train Member

    Hi all,
    For the last few years, I have been doing my tax online via the Turbo Tax website. I've been a teacher during those years so I just did my taxes like the average non-trucking joe.

    However, this year since Im a driver, Im thinking about maybe using something else geared towards drivers, hopefully online. I don't know if Turbo Tax, HRblock...etc are good choices. Then again, maybe I don't need much extra.

    What I mean is that since Im dedicated, Im home daily; I just have one days per diem to claim. I THINK (and please let me know if Im wrong) that I can claim out-of-pocket food expenses while training with Schneider in CA? I have those reciepts saved up. I don't think I can really claim anything else for taxes.

    Suggestions?
    Thanks,
    Ryan
     
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  3. Roadmedic

    Roadmedic Road Train Member

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    You should have no problem with doing the taxes the way you have in the past.

    Unless you itemize, the amount of money spent would not make a difference concerning the food you spent. It is not really an expense associated to the trucking industry and not eligible for the per diem.
     
  4. Scarecrow03

    Scarecrow03 Road Train Member

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    I thought the $40 - $50/day that you can claim as a per diem for every night spent away from home covered food.

    As to the original question, I would think that you might be better off just taking the standard deduction versus itemizing. That is unless you spent a lot of money on things for your truck (e.g. CB, TV, bedding, cleaning supplies, thermoelectric cooler) or on clothing and work shoes/boots.
     
  5. Roadmedic

    Roadmedic Road Train Member

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    It does. But the time at the school is not considered employed. It is not considered part of the trucking industry and would be limited to 50% instead of 70%.
     
  6. ziggystyles

    ziggystyles Road Train Member

    As far as the food, I wasn't thinking about per diem because, correct, I wasn't employed. However, since I was away from home and training, I thought that would qualify for...something, lol. (Crosses Fingers)...just something about expenses while away from home rang in my head.
     
  7. SpyderRyder

    SpyderRyder Medium Load Member

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    You can use a good accounting program throughout the year then use the data from it to do your taxes with the application you are used to using. I guess I have used Turbo Tax on line for quite a few years. Dieselboss.com has an inexpensive truck driver accounting program. If you're an O/O then don't forget the deduction for a home office. It all adds up.
     
  8. Lilbit

    Lilbit Road Train Member

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    Turbo Tax works just fine even as a truck driver. As has been mentioned, unless you itemize, you won't get the per diem allowance for meals.

    Home office deductions can be tricky, so make sure you talk to a good accountant before taking that deduction. There are some sticky rules on that one.
     
    SpyderRyder and BigJohn54 Thank this.
  9. PeterMartin

    PeterMartin Bobtail Member

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    to pay the online tax is the most convenient way provided to the driver. this reduces the efforts of diving to the actual place and wait till your turn. Online reduces all eforts
     
  10. johnjessi

    johnjessi Bobtail Member

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    The fuel tax software is available in many styles. The features offered with each program differ. For the most part all the software programs provide you with tools you need to handle IFTA reporting. You have some software's that allow you to handle rating and billing and other accountant tasks
     
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