Trucker Tax Tips & Deductions

Thanks man. Dam straight on that....I wasnt going to claim the new radio I put in (figuring that was entertainment) but then I realized it has a weather band built it. Determining the weather for a trip is indeed a business expense!

 

So what?

You listen to the radio and want satelite. It has national weather and news.

You like music, why not?

Same with air card, computer, phone.

Believe me there is much missed.

 

Yea, I get that. But technically entertainment is NOT supposed to be deductible. I guess it's all in how you use or look at these things....
Cell phone can only be deducted to the point it is used for business. Mine is actually 50/50 between business/personal. I am not going to try and deduct it 100%

 

The cell phone is an easy thing.

In order to get the business calls you have to have the phone in the first place.

The making of the call that is personal is not an additional call.

When an employee is on the road for business, most all business entities pay for phone calls to the home each day.

It is considered de minimis as far as expenses go and not a problem.

Entertainment isssues are a gray area and can be argued in the respect of keeping a driver alert. Then again, it is an opinion one must make and stand behind.

 

i hav a ? now my hubby is drivin for stevens and he gets his own truck by the end of the year is he allowed to do the tax deductions on his jan taxes like what the list says cell phone charges and glasses umm there quite a bit on that list but hes just a company driver not an owner operator like most of youll

 

Actually you can take $52.00 from Jan-Sept 30 2009 and $59.00 from Oct-Dec 31, 2009...if you go to the IRS site and put in Pub 463 and go to standard meal allowance you will find this information and it is reduced by 80% for 2009.

 

For those of you who use onboard recorders make sure your company or your are printing your logs out...if you aren't and you get audited you do not have backup...Most companies delete these logs after 6 mos because they are not required to keep them any longer. Most will keep the logs for 7 years if you are using their per diem program in which you ask for meals and lodging on the system.

 

In the united States the standard meal deduction is located in Publication 463 on the IRS web site...It is $52.00 per day Jan-Sept 30, 2009 and $59.00 from Oct 1, -Dec 31 2009. Hope this helps

 

It is based on each one and if one dies the other can draw a part of the deceased but not all as they would have you believe. An yes these company per diem plans only benifit the company as your wages are reported to SS and unemployment and if you find yourself unemployed...Guess what?? you are drawing on these low wage instead of what you actually earned.