F'ed UAL pilots and W-2's

[GuppyPuppy]

Hello all-

I was furloughed in January 2003 and received a W-2 for 2004 of $842.16. I called United to see what this was about and was told it was for my travel benefits. WTFO?

So, I have to pay taxes on money I gave to United Airlines? What a bunch of CARP. Do current UAL pilots have to count their travel benefits as income? I know this has never happened to me before at ANY airline.

Does this somehow benefit UAL corporation to show the money I paid for travel as MY income?

Curious if anyone else who has been furloughed has received a W-2.

Cheers!

GP

 

[bafanguy]

I thought the battle to fight the taxation of your benefits ( passes among them ) had been fought and won by the employees a long time ago.



This was a very big issue at one time. I remember writing letters to congressmen and having the tax thieves beaten down a long time ago. In 30+ years of my airline employment, neither I, nor my wife ( a 35+ year FA ) EVER received anything resembling a bill from the tax b*stards for non-rev travel.

Call ALPA...I smell a rat here. I can't believe your furloughed status makes your case different from active employees unless they just want to kick you while you're down.

 

[Andy]

Did you have a domestic partner listed?
I nonreved quite a bit last year and have yet to receive a W-2. However, I added my fiancee early this year and noticed that they had imputed income on her passes. I think that you're being taxed on a domestic partner's travel ... just a guess on my part.

 

[GuppyPuppy]

Did you have a domestic partner listed?
I nonreved quite a bit last year and have yet to receive a W-2. However, I added my fiancee early this year and noticed that they had imputed income on her passes. I think that you're being taxed on a domestic partner's travel ... just a guess on my part.

Yes. I had my fiancee added in April of last year. We were married in June, but I never changed her designation as I found it to be a hassle.

How in the world would UAL come up with the figure found in my W-2? She certainly didn't pay non-rev fees totaling over $800.

Would it be different if she were listed as my wife?

Thanks for all your input.

GP

 

[cargoflyr69]

Yep, you are being taxed on "imputed income." This is how it was with the last 3 airlines I've worked for in the last 5 years! You are not taxed on personal travel for you or your immediate family, but when dom. partners/fiancees, buddies, or parents use your benies, The IRS sees this as imputed income and wants thier share.

I believe that the formula is something like 10% of the highest "Y" class ticket for the segments travelled. Did your wife/fiancee travel about 8,000 bucks worth of airfare this last year? if not you may have been charged too much. My advice is to change her status to "spouse" asap to avoid paying more taxes.

I may be wrong here, but thats how it was explained to me by my travel desk. anyone else care to add on?

 

[FL000]

Politicians are f'ing thieves...vote 'em all out. They sit up there with all their health benefits and pensions that they voted for themselves, then stick it to all of us...their BOSSES...to make up for their incompetent financial "prowess."

F'em all.

 

[AA717driver]

FL000--We aren't the politician's bosses. The people who buy them... er, excuse me, contribute large amounts of money to their campaigns are their "bosses".

P.J. O'Rourke wrote a book a couple of decades ago entitled "Parliment of Whores". It was about Congress. Need I say more?TC

 

[FL000]

FL000--We aren't the politician's bosses. The people who buy them... er, excuse me, contribute large amounts of money to their campaigns are their "bosses".

P.J. O'Rourke wrote a book a couple of decades ago entitled "Parliment of Whores". It was about Congress. Need I say more?TC

Good point, but I'm talking about what should be. The big money lines the pockets of pols so they can campaign to get our vote. If enough people would get off their butts, educate themselves and go vote for someone who will truly represent their interests, then we wouldn't have this problem. You know as well as I do that that will never happen though...not in my lifetime.

I'll have to get that book. I like O'Rourke.

 

[Andy]

Yes. I had my fiancee added in April of last year. We were married in June, but I never changed her designation as I found it to be a hassle.

How in the world would UAL come up with the figure found in my W-2? She certainly didn't pay non-rev fees totaling over $800.

Would it be different if she were listed as my wife?

Thanks for all your input.

GP

Dude, call 1-888-825-0188. It was painless for me.
If your wife took your last name, they'll give you a fax number that you need to fax a copy of her drivers license (or other ID) to.
The imputed income adds up fast.

 

[GuppyPuppy]

Dude, call 1-888-825-0188. It was painless for me.
If your wife took your last name, they'll give you a fax number that you need to fax a copy of her drivers license (or other ID) to.
The imputed income adds up fast.

Thanks Andy!

Appreciate the help.

GP