In CDL Training I was given a huge list of items that qualify as tax deductions. Do those deductions apply to company drivers or only to owner/operators ? If you have details and examples could you pass those along as best you can too? Thx, cj.

If the company does not pay for them and you do then you can take the deduction.

Company or Owner Op, doesn't matter.

Safe bet.. Save EVERY receipt for everything you buy to put on or use on that truck...period. Don't worry about meal receipts, unless you can eat more than $50 a day in food.

It sounds more difficult than it actually is. And it's overwhelming at first. But you eventually get used to it. Just keep them together and keep them sorted as often as possible.

That list you have, will come in very handy.

Every penny counts when it comes tax time. Even for company drivers.

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Hi:
The way the tax laws read basically you can claim, if you itemize, every "necessary" unremibursed item. For example, work boots if required, company shirts/uniform that you have buy, fuel if your an o/o, tolls and the list goes on and on. The key point is if the item is necessary to do your job and is unreimbursed by your employer. As a for instance, my husband is a machinist and one year we had to buy some new tools for him. The employer didn't offer to pay us back for those tools, even though it was neccessary for him to purchase them to fulfill their contract. Instant deduction!

For all you guys and gals out there, do your tax accountant a favor next year at tax time. Get yourself a cheap expanding file from an office supply store and label the divides. Get into the habit of dropping the receipts into the appropriate catagory every time. I guarantee your tax person will love you as we HATE shoeboxes full of receipts that we have to sort. Not only does it make their life easier, but you might find that you end up with more deductable items.

Even if you are a company driver you can deduct some of your business related expenses.There is a catch though,unlike someone self employed in trucking,your itemized expenses must exceed your standard deduction.I'll list them.
1.Single or married filing separtely,$5,350
2.Married filing jointly,$10,700
3.Head of Household,$7,850

So,between all your qualifying itemized deductions including non job related(household expense,medical out of pocket,education,child care,etc.)you feel that you can exceed the above amounts,then itemize,if not ,just stick to the standard deduction.Less headaches.Search IRS topic 500.

you can not claim the standard deductions if you are getting per diem. that is what per deim is for. it is supposed to cover our daily needs every day. kind of like an allowance. it's best not to take per diem and keep reciepts for money spent and write them off at the beginning of each year. you can write off anything work related or to help make your job easier. if you do some research there are some pretty slick things you can write off as long as you have reciepts. but if your single you better have at least $5000 in deductions each year or it won't do you any good. that is a easy mark to hit over a years time.

Sorry, but you are incorrect. The IRS always allows you to take the standard deduction even if you have extremely large itemized deductions and just don't feel like doing the work.

The per diem issue on the company pay has no affect on the tax return if standard deduction is chosen.

wrong but we all have our own opinions and that is yours.

I am a professional income tax preparer. I think that is in my favor.

and i am a professional truck driver. i think that is in my favor. and your point is ?


you can not claim these deductions if you are getting per diem, plan and simple.