Should I sign up for per diem?

It lowers your employers share paid into social security thus saving them money.

 

DON'T DO IT, DRIVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's an AWESOME deal for the company... YOU get screwed bigtime!

 

If for some reason you need work comp, disability or unemployment, the per diem is not included in your income... So it looks like you made/make way less than what you actually put in your pocket. So in the short term yes you put more into your pocket, but in the long term you can get screwed royally!!

 

Something else to take into consideration is it will make your income appear lower in the event that you apply for a mortgage or loan. I would pass on it.

 

You can write off a certain amount on your year end taxes for everyday you're out on the road throughout the year. I can't remember the exact amount, but I'd be willing to bet it'd probably net you more money than per diem if compared head to head? I personally wouldn't do per diem,and the fact that a growing number of companies are forcing it on new drivers would lead me to believe that, as stated above,it benefits the company a lot more than it'll benefit you. Just my 2 cents.....

 

From the last per diem thread:

 

Yeah, that 2cpm admin fee cracks me up there double yellow.

The company benefits and the driver gets to pay for the privilege. Your comparison is short-sighted as other posters have pointed out already.

 

You're not going to make more money. You're going to take home more of the money you earned. If you're dodging child support or any other judgment in which money will be deducted from your pay then take the per diem. Not taking per diem will allow you to deduct (I think it's) $59 a day for every day you're away from home on your taxes. Personally I wouldn't take per diem but everybody's tax situation is different.