Pay: Tax-Advantage or Premium

Im on T.A. and the only reason why is that Ohio does not allow for the 59 dollar per diem. Other wise i would be on premium.

 

Virginia does allow for the 59 dollar per diem pay. I am in a sticky spot with the house I own is going to get rented and now I have to show residence at my girl friends and reciepts that I pay for stuff. I love my accountant but he is a stickler for the rules

 

The best answer I can come up with without running specific numbers is to say that if you already itemize your taxes, then the tax advantage does not make sense. If you are already itemizing your taxes then you do not need to "overcome" the standard deduction.

Most estimates are that you save between $1500 and $2000 on your taxes, if you already itemize. For me, I am a single father, so I get the head of household standard deduction. I do not pay towards a mortgage or give to charity, so I have no deductions. This means per diem has to overcome my $8500 standard deduction as a head of household.

In other words, the best thing to do is talk to a tax professional who understands the trucker's per diem rules and have them run the numbers.