Travel expense question

Discussion in 'Trucker Taxes and Truck Financing' started by RegDriver, Feb 16, 2016.

  1. RegDriver

    RegDriver Bobtail Member

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    Feb 16, 2016
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    Regional company driver. Medical from last year may allow us to itemize for the first time. Employer takes $50 from my gross for each night I am out as a "travel" expense. It is added back in as an "adjustment to net pay". I know this is a per diem even though I never use company money for any personal road expenses such as food. So my W-2 lists a lower amount of pay than I actually was paid. Can I still deduct the per diem on my taxes or no?

    Thanks for the help!
     
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  3. ttyson

    ttyson Medium Load Member

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    This doesnt make sense,they take 50 out then add it back in?
     
  4. RegDriver

    RegDriver Bobtail Member

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    Feb 16, 2016
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    Yes, it is taken under "deduction from gross" first and then added back as "adjustment to net pay". A few other drivers have said they take the per diem but they also have other non driving deductions also.
     
  5. RegDriver

    RegDriver Bobtail Member

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    Feb 16, 2016
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    Last edited: Feb 16, 2016
  6. RegDriver

    RegDriver Bobtail Member

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    Feb 16, 2016
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    I think I need to rephrase this a bit. My W-2 shows my income after the per diem is deducted. There is no mention of a per diem on line 14. What I need to know is how I handle this. Do I claim the percentage of the per diem I pay out of my own pocket? I know the company is doing this for their benefit tax-wise. I don't care so long as I bring home what I earn. I'm just trying to figure out if I can itemize this year and don't want to pay to have my taxes done if I can't see a huge refund compared to the standard.
     
  7. Hardlyevr

    Hardlyevr Road Train Member

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    For the entire days and night 24 hour period you are not home, the per diem rate is $59 a day for last year to October 1st, then $63 a day to the end of the year. You would be able to claim the difference between those rates and the $50 they deducted and then gave you back. You would need to know the exact number of days and be able to prove it, with a printed log page.
     
    RegDriver Thanks this.
  8. ttyson

    ttyson Medium Load Member

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    Pre diem is not earned income thats why its not on your W2..If they are taking pre diem out of your base pay,then you are being scamed..i.e.lets say your pay is 40 cpm but they take out 15 cpm for pre diem..the nyour pay is really only 25 cpm as reflected on your W2..you are not earning what you think you are..If your company wants to give you a 15 cpm pre diem, then it should always be a added amount to your base pay..So it would be 40 cpm plus 15 cpm for per diem..Your company and most all others are bending over drivers with this per diem stuff...So figure your base pay as the amount you get minus pre diem..
     
    tucker Thanks this.
  9. ttyson

    ttyson Medium Load Member

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    you should never drive for a company that takes pre deim out of your base pay,when the feds are going to give you a pre diem for free..
     
  10. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Something is not right with this, if they take out a dime, it better be well documented and give a logical and legal reason why.
     
  11. tucker

    tucker Road Train Member

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    But the company is saving you the trouble of itemizing, and having a higher income for Social Security and a higher income to qualify for a better mortgage.
     
    roadreject Thanks this.
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