There interpretation of the new tax law.
language makes some changes to per diem rates – just not for truckers. Current law has a specific section for people who operate under hours of service. It states:
274(n)(3) Special rule for individuals subject to Federal hours of service
In the case of any expenses for food or beverages consumed while away from home (within the meaning of section 162(a)(2)) by an individual during, or incident to, the period of duty subject to the hours of service limitations of the Department of Transportation, paragraph (1) shall be applied by substituting “80 percent” for “50 percent”.
HR1 has makes some changes to Section 274. However, it does not make any changes to Section 274(n)(3). In fact, it remains silent on that section, essentially leaving the provision in place. That means truckers will retain the ability to claim 80 percent per diem for nights away from home – of course this is barring any last minute amendments in the House ahead of the final vote.
“It’s our interpretation that Congress did not repeal or amend the existing 80 percent per diem for truck drivers,” said Mike Matousek, OOIDA director of government affairs. “While it’s impossible to fully understand the impact this bill will have on an individual’s overall tax liability, we believe the per diem survived the legislative process.”
The transportation workers’ special standard per diem rate remained unchanged for 2018 at $63. Outside continental U.S is $68 per day, also unchanged. Truckers are allowed to declare 80 percent of that amount as a deduction at tax time.
My Poly Trucking experience
Discussion in 'Motor Carrier Questions - The Inside Scoop' started by majestyk, Jun 15, 2016.
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I don't itemize anyways so makes no difference to me. I read where the companies can still pay you using per diem so basically nothing has changed for myself.
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Well an opening for my previous gig doing the salt lake city Costco runs became available and they asked if I wanted to do it. Pretty hard to turn that down so I have been busy doing those loads since New year's. I really didn't think that position would become available again for a long time. Really happy to be doing it again as I am home at least for a little bit every day and the #### elogs are of limited annoyance since I will be resetting every week. Hopefully will be able to get 3 loads every other week but I always got at least two loads and hourly pay on top for working local stuff the last time. A little pay cut but the perks are worth it.
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Everything going ok back at the "local" gig. Had three loads every week thus far with the exception of two last week. Still the only driver here officially doing it as the other driver is still on medical leave. Has been a couple of hiccups as the out west facility is running behind on product so some loads have been late or cancelled but I managed to pick up alternative loads to keep me rolling. For the regular folks I would stay away from running out to Henderson for a while until they get caught up as you might get stuck more than you would want. The weather has been fantastic for winter out here.
tucker Thanks this. -
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Well third time through the first day of orientation here at the Grand Prairie facilities Everything real smooth. Only three of us in here this time, one local driver who will be out of Mont Belvieu and a driver from the SC region. Going to be able to get my old truck back. It is still sitting out at Poly West so they are flying me back there on Wednesday to resume duties. The only thing I got different today in orientation was that the home time days are now limited to 7 straight days instead of 7 business days. Don't know how stringent that will be but I never take much time off anyway so that really won't affect me for the most part.
Guess I will start recapping my weekly runs to see how many miles I am accumulating on the old elogs as I never really ran that long on them while OTR. Will be interesting to see if there will be a substantial drop. There will be a drop just because of the way I ran without them but hopefully not too much of one. Game plan pretty much the same with trying to stay west of the Mississippi river with a jaunt into Detroit on occasions.Last edited: Aug 27, 2018
radioshark Thanks this. -
I keep looking for a better deal myself,
I don't see any.majestyk Thanks this. -
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Yeah I looked pretty #### hard because I wasn't really sure they would take me back again. One flat bed company that I considered that hauled a lot of hazmat out of Vegas but only paid 0.46/mile, and two van/reefer positions with what seemed like pretty decent companies from what I was able to ascertain but only paid in the mid to upper 40's. I think I am done looking until I am ready to hang up working for good barring something stupid changing here. I am just really comfortable with the system and think I can still turn some pretty good miles even with the lack of "flexibilty" that I once had I've liquidated most any reason to take a lot of time off at home and my kids are all gone away from the area so back to doing what I enjoy and am pretty #### good at, moving freight in a timely manner.
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Half of our drivers are probably from Crete I can't say too much negative about my former employer as they did treat me pretty well and I ran decent miles, although I had to pull teeth too often to do so, but they are not anywhere close to what is available here if you are a relatively smart individual that can figure out the system to your advantage.
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