Anyone know of a good tax service for (company) truck drivers?
I am not enrolled in per diem yet as i am a bit skeptical of it. I bought a $3000 computer that I want to deduct along with other items.
I used to use the turbo tax website to do my taxes. I am not sure how good that service would be for a driver.
I tried the forum search engine but the results seem to bring up unrelated posts.
truker taxes
Discussion in 'Trucker Taxes and Truck Financing' started by jyhm, Jan 5, 2008.
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Just because they are a CPA does not make them the best choice for a trucker. Alot of them have no clue about trucking.
Get a tax preparer, enrolled agent, or CPA. But be sure they have a good knowledge concerning trucking. -
your computer isn't deductible being an employee unless the company requires you to have it. computers are generally a business deduction and you aren't in business. you can pay for it with either your per diem money or your tax refund though... -
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Notarps is right. Computer can be deductible for a trucker. It can be used as GPS, route planning, weather checking, communications.
You are right about the per diem. It only benefits the company. -
The use of a cell phone and a laptop are often common items that owner operator truck drivers use. However, you can only claim half of the cost of them because the government has the opinion that both of them will be used for recreational use as well as for business. Any maps, notebooks, pens, log books, or other items you buy specifically to use in your truck are deductible.
As an EMPLOYEE, you can take an itemized deduction on Schedule A for certain out-of-pocket job-related expenses that are not reimbursed by your employer. Un-reimbursed employee expenses are one of the categories of miscellaneous deductions that are subject to the 2% of adjusted gross income limit.
Job-Related Expenses
Some of the types of un-reimbursed employee expenses you can deduct include the following (aside from travel, transportation, entertainment, and gift expenses; and business use of part of your home):
Depreciation on a computer or cellular telephone your employer REQUIRES you to use in your work
Tools needed for your job
Work clothes and uniforms REQUIRED by your employer that are not suitable for ordinary wear
Protective clothing required in your work, such as hard hats, safety shoes, and glasses
Union dues
Dues to professional organizations and chambers of commerce
Subscriptions to professional journals
Work-related education expenses
Expenses to look for a new job in your present occupation, even if you do not get a new job
Depreciation on a Computer or Cell Phone
You may be able to deduct depreciation on a computer or cell phone if the use is for the convenience of your employer and is REQUIRED as a condition of your employment. These conditions will depend on the facts and circumstances in each case, but in general terms, for the convenience of your employer means that there is a substantial business reason for requiring their use, and required as a condition of your employment means that you cannot properly perform your duties without them.
If you use the computer or cell phone more than 50% in your work, you can claim depreciation under the General Depreciation System (GDS). You may also be able to take the section 179 deduction, and the 50% or 30% special depreciation allowance the year you start using them.
If you do not meet the 50% use test, you must use straight-line depreciation under the Alternative Depreciation System (ADS), and you will not be able to take the section 179 deduction or the special first year depreciation allowance.
Exception for Computer Used in a Home Office
If you use the computer in what qualifies for tax purposes as a home office, you do not have to meet the 50% use test. You can take depreciation under GDS, the section 179 deduction, and the special first year depreciation allowance.
Use Form 4562, Depreciation and Amortization, to calculate your depreciation deduction. But if you file Form 2106 or 2106EZ, you would report the depreciation on that form, and not on Form 4562. -
That is the importance of using a CPA that knows trucking tax laws. There are a lot of things that you can deduct due to cost of living and being away from home. Using services like idle air, etc does not fall under lodging and is a write off. One needs to research the person doing your taxes to find out if they know what they are doing.
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I have been professionally preparing income tax returns since 1982. I am an enrolled agent to practice before the Internal Revenue Service.
The description that you have concerning an employee is not directly focused toward a truck driver. Those rules are aimed at the everyday employee.
The deductible items for a truck driver are not limited like the items you shown that are under home office deductions.
As far as audits go, I have represented clients all over the country on numerous audits. I have only lost on one.
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