Ffe tax deduct?

They should be. Everything you do on the road is work related.

 

meals are not, that is what the per diem covers.

 

He can deduct his meals, but then he won't be able to take the per diem

 

I've heard per diem is not something you want to do anyway, unless you just really need the extra cash monthly (or simply to be taxed less annually). If you want to make sure that if you ever needed workmans comp, unemployment or when you start collecting a Social Security check, if you've been paid per diem, you'll get less monthly under those circumstances. Is that right ?

oh, and you really CAN claim meals (on the road) on your IRS return if you're not paid per diem ?

 

The per diem is a Federal amount that you can do on your own, regardless of what the company does. If they don't do it, it is actually better for you as far as your income level looks to creditors, etc. Then you can still deduct the amount at tax time.