Perplexed by forced per diem option?

All I know is once I get a different job I am going to "narc" on these bums I have been working for.

If they are cheating? I may be eligible for a percentage of the recovered amount?

 

We get $59.00 credit against money made for every nite away from the house. How is this a rip off?

 

When your company hides $100 a day of your money so they don't have to pay what they are suppose to on workers comp, social security and 401K match. They tell you it's perdiem on your paystub, but they don't mention it on the W-2. They just put the reduced net as the gross amount on there.

 

You only get $47.20 of that. And that is OK in my mind. Let me be a big boy and take my own deductions. I had to pay for "office supplies, tools, gloves, and a few showers. The $47.20 is just for meals.

 

IMO if you want vicious and fast moving then tip the comp carrier. Premiums are driven by salary as well as title. They move allot faster than your Uncle.

Drivers are a risky group and the carrier won't take this well if their hiding driver income.

 

I confess not being very smart... All I know is that before the "forced per diem" in my company, I was getting more money in tax return. Last year went to a H&R Block with my W-2 and all my calculations, miles I drove per month and where, total nights on the road, all my business expenses, etc, etc... Was hoping accountant would be able to figure it out and I would get some more of my money back. But nope... Will have to find another accountant. And will also see if I can claim the difference between the actual miles I drive and the practical miles my company pays me as a loss (Possible??)

 

You cannot take a loss on the miles, since you are cash basis and did not have income for the lost miles.

H & R Block is a joke for the most part. I have gotten many clients from them over the years.

The forced per diem is only the benefit of the company for the most part. Some drivers will benefit from them providing it if they are unable to itemize.

H & R should have calculated the full per diem you have coming and reduced the amount by the figure the company took off.

There are many competent tax preparers out there and the IRS entered into another level of enforcing rules with them. Look for an enrolled agent to practice before the IRS. These people are usually only tax preparers all year. The CPA just normally does taxes on the annual basis and it is a sideline to them and a much higher cost to you.

However, whatever choice you make, look for someone that is very familiar with the trucking industry.

 

Heck, I'd rather PAY $20 or so than get money back. Getting a refund check means that the govt. got to use your money all year for free.

 

What do you mean pay $ 20 or so?

 

He means he would rather owe the Government 20 bucks at the end of the year rather than get a return. That $700 dollar tax return is money that you loaned the Government for 0% interest. Smart folks, no I'm not one of them, have less taxes taken out of their paychecks and then invest a little each week. They then pay their tax out of that money having made a few dollars on top of that.