Per diem question

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Awilliams27, Jul 23, 2025 at 3:15 PM.

  1. Awilliams27

    Awilliams27 Bobtail Member

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    80x14=1120 untaxed federally if you go over the road for 2 weeks? So come tax time you only pay taxes on the difference? I assume you just have to keep copies of your logs in case of an audit.
    Assuming the trucking job is 1099 instead of w2.

    It might not be 80, the dumb Google AI said that the federal government increased it to 80 for 2025.
     
    Last edited: Jul 23, 2025 at 3:21 PM
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  3. kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I think it is $80 for 2025. but you can only deduct 80% of that. That's for every full 24hr day out. Less for partial days- day you leave out and day you return home.
     
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  4. buzzarddriver

    buzzarddriver Road Train Member

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    But company drivers CANNOT use the ME&I deduction anymore, so unless someone wants to buy/lease a truck, per diem doesn't make sense for company drivers. It will only lower your AGI, which can affect your chances with credit.
     
  5. Lonwolv54

    Lonwolv54 Light Load Member

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    You'll need to speak with a tax accountant that's familiar with trucking. A w2 company driver can accept company sponsored per diem but they cannot claim the ME&I deduction anymore as @buzzarddriver driver said. I believe that is correct, invest in a tax accountant, save ya a lot of heartache..
     
  6. Awilliams27

    Awilliams27 Bobtail Member

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    Asking about 1099, and if there are any other 1099 drivers I want to see how they do it.
     
  7. Awilliams27

    Awilliams27 Bobtail Member

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    What if you're a Contractor on 1099 but driving the company truck? Could you claim food per diem 80 percent of 80 for the days you're away from home? I was also wondering if you could stack it with standard deduction instead of itemization but I think I read somewhere that if you take the standard deduction on a 1099 you can't claim per diem anymore.
     
  8. kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    If you take the standard deduction, you can't itemize. You can figure out which one will be better for you.
     
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  9. Awilliams27

    Awilliams27 Bobtail Member

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    So per diem is considered itemization?
     
  10. Someguywithquestions

    Someguywithquestions Light Load Member

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    I used to get 40ish dollars every full night/day away from home as a company W2. Is this taxable now? Used to just be a paper check every week that required no tax reporting.
     
  11. kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    If you are talking about the 80% of $80 a day, I think you would deduct it. You would need to talk to a tax professional to see how it would affect you and how, and if, you can pay yourself this throughout the year.
     
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