Trucker Tax Tips & Deductions

He can take any deduction that pertains to the truck and is not reimbursed by the company. He does not need a receipt for any purchase under $75 except Motels..He should however keep petty cash receipts for anything that he can not get one for like Laundry. and some showers etc. (I would keep my receipts even tho not required) Make sure of the percentage on the cell phone as this is a gray area...yes you can deduct for business calls but not personal and if he has one phone he needs to calculate the percentage used for business. Most drivers deduct the standard meal allowance which is $52 per day from Jan-Sept 30 and $59 per day for Oct 1 -Dec 31 2009 and you must prorate first and last day...you can find more information on this in the IRS web site Publication 463. Hope this helps Good Luck!

 

I'm not sure of your questions..but if you hired someone to drive your truck and they came from another state to do this and they knew this was a temporary job...then they can deduct any rent or expenses they incurred while doing the job...however; you report the WAGES you paid him and if you paid him per diem (that wasn't taxed) then you report that amount as per diem paid and you can use any other expenses that you paid; however, if you taxed the per diem paid then it is reported under Wages.

 

Do not worry. I am well versed in tax law.

When someone looks at a post I made from 2007 and decides to correct it, it really makes them look stupid.

 

I am a truckers wife. I DID all our taxes BEFORE my husband started to drive truck in 2010. Now I need a LOCAL CPA in East Texas who only deals with Truckers and past filing issues for these guys.
Does anyone have any suggestions for me?
Respectfully,
Mrs Mendez
USNAVY Veteran..(trying to be a civilian)

 

Check out a guy by the name of John Turner. He seems to specialize in truck driver tax returns. He is a regular guest on satellite radios trucking channel. I believe he is based in Houston Tx.

I believe if you look up "The Trucker's Accountant" you will find John Turners website.

 

If you are just a company driver, you really have no need for a CPA.

Turbo tax will do a good job and walk you through.

 

in reply to trucker taxes;
even though he is just a company driver can we not get alot of travel expences writen off ; clothing, shoes, food, tolls??
respectfully,
corpsman

 

Yes, Anything purchased to do your job will be a deductible expense.

Provided your carrier does not have a policy for reimbursing those expenses then you can write them off on your taxes.

Uniforms (if "required" by your carrier and not reimbursed), work boots, eye glasses, CDL fees, TWIC fees, magazine subscriptions that concern trucking, union dues, laundry expenses while on the road, per diem (80% of $59.00 per day), small tools such as tool kits, hammers, vice grips, crow bars, bolt cutters, straps, chains, bungee cords, duct tape, flash lights, batteries, note books, folders, pens, magnifying glass, maps/atlas, cleaning supplies such as windex, armor all, etc. vacuum cleaner, broom, dust pan, shovel, satellite radio and subscription, GPS, lap top, internet subscription/air card, cell phone and calling plan, cb radios, antennae, coax, work jacket, rain coat, work gloves, hat, even postage or fed ex fees for forwarding your POD's to your carrier.

The above is just a few items off the top of my head. The key is any expense "usual or customary" in the line of work that is not reimbursed.

Be sure to keep your receipts so you can substantiate any of your write offs.

 

what can i deduct for my taxes since i am a regional driver that does NOT get paid with a perdiem?...yes i work for cheap ###es...lol

 

Make sure all purchases are placed on one card, just in case they audit you