JS Helwig Per Diem

When I left there, it seems either they did not offer per-diem or it was an option. I'd avoid it if I could. I will never work at a carrier where per-diem pay is mandatory for all.

I think you can still do some complicated comparison between the per-diem pay [not taxed] and using the standard daily meal allowance, and take the option that benefits you most but I could not begin to tell you how this works and what the requirements are ... which is why I want nothing to do with per-diem where the standard meal allowance is hard to beat and easy to implement.

 

Whoever told you that lied to you. Per diem is a portion of your pay which is untaxed, which means, among other things, that the untaxed portion is not reported to the IRS. At my company per diem is a percentage of my gross. At most companies that pay by the mile, it's a portion of your mileage pay. My old company for example had a starting pay of $0.41 a mile with $0.10 per diem. Per diem isn't reported to the IRS because it isn't taxed, therefore my W2s showed I made $0.31 a mile, and because of that my W2s showed a much lower annual gross than what I actually made. This can be problematic if you're applying for a loan, and later in life your social security checks will be smaller than they otherwise would be because you didn't pay as much in social security taxes as you otherwise would have. It is what it is. However, the fact that the government is only aware of the income you're taxed on because untaxed income is not reported is all the proof you need that per diem has no effect whatsoever on your meal allowances or how much you're allowed to claim. As far as your gross pay as a company driver goes, they don't need to know any more than what your W2 shows. They don't need to know they they didn't get as large of a chunk of your money as they could have. If a driver is dumb enough to report it themselves, that's on them.

 

Seems like you can only take 80% of $46 anyway (or something like that) so that's about right.

 

This subject has been mentioned many times... but here are the Cliff Notes.

Per Diem is not what it is - It is M&IE. Pub 463 page 6, middle column

For transportation workers.

2016
Jan 1-Oct 31 - $59 a day (In Canada/Mexico $63)
Oct 31 - Dec 31 - $63 a day (In Canada/Mexico $68.00)

2017
Jan 1 - Oct 31 - $63 a day (In Canada/Mexico $68.00)
Oct 31 - Dec 31 - not known yet.

The days you are going/leaving for home time - 75% of the daily rate.
The full days you are on home time - $0.00

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Now if your company takes this out, understand they will never know the "full" amount so they take a $ amount out usually based upon trips. They cannot go over the "Full" amount you are allowed and if they do by the rules of this they are now dropped out of the Federal Program.

It gives you a "Less" gross amount and in some cases this will hurt you for loans.

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If your company does not take it out you simply keep track of days out and partial days out, figure the amount out and then itemize on your taxes. You cannot use the EZ form. You must itemize.

If your company does take it out, you keep track off of each pay stub how much they take out and at the same time you keep track of days out/partial days. At the end of the year you take what you would have gotten minus what the company took out and the amount left you still can claim.

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There are a lot of false ideas about this. It is quite simple. The main days out used to be 80% of the amount owed, but I cannot find it in the Pub anymore... A CPA would know.

There are rumors only O/O's can do this, this is a false rumor. Be it you are a Company driver, L/O, O/O, if you hold an CDL and you are away from your home of domicile for 24 hours you are allowed this deduction.

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Examples

Non-Company deduction

300 days out (280 before Oct 31st)(20 after Oct 31st)
280 x 59 = 16,520
20 x 63 = 1260
20 partial days
20x(63x.75) = 945

Total = $18725.00

Company deductions

300 days out (280 before Oct 31st)(20 after Oct 31st)
280 x 59 = 16,520
20 x 63 = 1260
20 partial days
20x(63x.75) = 945

Total = $18,725.00

Company took out $16,000

Total you can still claim - $2725.00

 

Helwig doesn't do the whole per diem thing. Last week 3686 miles at .45cpm, 1 extra stop @ $20, $75 extra for going to Hunt's Point (Bronx, NY--no forced dispatch to NY, but Hunt's Point is a fairly easy place to get to) & $100 layover pay to start the 7 day stretch. Do I make that much every week? Of course not. After working for Helwig 3 months, I averaged out my bring home pay, and I netted $990 a week (meaning $990 in my pocket). After insurance and taxes, I should still net over $1500 this week. However, like I said, $900-1100 is a likely average. Great company. Love my dispatcher, and the shop personnel is friendly and actually knows how to work on trucks (pleasant change coming from bigger companies where they hire mechanics straight out of school). I really can't say enough good things about this company. The brand new driver's lounge and showers are expected to be completed any day now. Helwig is the best mix of pay, quality equipment, facilities, and corporate personnel that I know of.

 

How hard is it to get home time there? How tight are the loads scheduled? In other words will one traffic back up cause you to be late? Thank you.

 

Doesn't helwig have driver facing cameras now? They're in my home town and i could of swore i saw one