Per Diem

It's a non-reimbursed employee business expense and can be used whether or not you itemize. But you use the 1040 long form to claim it. current rate is $59.00 per day you can claim 80% of that for full days away from tax home, on days leaving or returning home are partial days and can claim 75% of the $59.00. Depending on how many days you are out, it can be $10-15,000 deduction. talk to a tax professional that deals with the trucking industry not H&R Block or any other ordinary tax preparer. They know nothing about Trucking. I learned that the hard way. just my $.02

 

Itemized deduction subject to the 2% of the AGI. You must use the itemized to claim it. It cannot be claimed without itemization. If you think so, please provide the link for me to verify.

In case you missed the point of my post. It was in reference to the remaining per diem not recorded by the company in their plan.

 

My tax Accountant told me if the company pays per diem you cannot itemize and claim both. He did not tell me the code and he is a Trucking Tax Accountant. Now I haven't been on per diem but did ask the accountant a couple years back to make sure I got the most deductions.

 

He is correct to a point.

Most companies that pay per diem do not meet the max of 59.00 per day. You can then itemize the difference. With the limitations of the 2% of AGI and the 80% limited amount there is not much available.