Per Diem Rates and Practices

[deskjobssuck]

Hmmm, any way to delete an accidental double posting?

 

[deskjobssuck]

Just to set things straight, I tend to borrow from the breakfast bar the night before. Just ask the front desk and they'll usually let you in to the kitchen. That way you can actually eat some dinner, too.

Sorry, just looking forward to the day when I get more than $1.25/hr per diem and overnights longer than 8.5 hours. Anyone looking for a Be-1900 typed pilot?

 

[gear_guy]

Just to set things straight, I tend to borrow from the breakfast bar the night before.

I'n not sure I would use that word, but whatever. Oh wait, that's right! You're returning it to them through the pipes, are'nt ya. My bad.

 

[Brett Hull]

No limit for us, either (1 a/c, 3 pilot pt. 91). Just use our best judgement. We did splurge at Mortons steak house in Indy the other night to the tune of $170, but that's very rare.

My only complaint (other than the boss consistently not calling to tell us he's going to be 2+ hours late) is that the company issues each of us a Visa card with only a $2000 limit for motels, rental cars and meals. It's in our name, and we still have to turn in our expenses so we can be reimbursed the money to pay the credit card bill at the end of the month. I told them not to bother giving me the company Visa, and just use my own. Anyone recommend a good one with airline points or something?

Here's a follow on question about cell phones. We pay our own cell phone bill, but we turn in a copy of the statement and are issued a reimbursement check for the charges. Another company a couple of hangars down has a specific cell that stays with the each airplane. You pay for your own. Any one else heard of any crazy cell phone deals like this?

 

[aroundtheblock]

As far as taxable per diem the rules are as follows:


If you are on a 1 day trip, then perdiem is taxable.
If the trip is overnight then it is non taxed.

I was laid off from US Air, and now I'm corporate. Expenses are the way to go. The words "cheap" and "pilot" go hand in hand and most pilots, unless you are a Delta Capt, will forego nice or even average meals to save a buck. Most of our airline crews wouldn't even go to Chile's cause they wanted to pocket the $2/hr per diem. I agree with the posts above, don't abuse the expenses and you'll enjoy your time on the road much more. Let's face it, we are on the road for them not for us so you you don't have to eat like kings but you shouldn't be eating fast food either.

 

[Bandit60]

without this straying too far from the original topic of the thread...

I talked to several people while at school about per diem and they say it isn't taxable. Turns out that one of our guys (forgive me, i'm not sure of the proper terminology) gets all of the taxes taken out of "normal" per diem returned to him at tax time. I don't know if this is correct or not...anyone know more? Is per diem taxable? Can you get the taxes taken on per diem returned to you when you file your taxes?[/QUOTE

Its been awhile since I was on a perdiem. Now I am on expenses. However, I do remember that the IRS only allows a certain amount per day to be tax-free. Anything over that amount(which I dont know what it is) is taxable income.

 

[banned username 2]

I do remember that the IRS only allows a certain amount per day to be tax-free. Anything over that amount(which I dont know what it is) is taxable income.

You are correct, the max used to be $1.25/hr, anything over was taxable... Not sure what the current non-taxable rate is... this was info from about 8 years ago...

 

[FracCapt]

You are correct, the max used to be $1.25/hr, anything over was taxable... Not sure what the current non-taxable rate is... this was info from about 8 years ago...

Now it's $41 per day for CONUS, and $46 for "OCONUS"(which, I assume they mean anything outside the Continental US - but try eating 3 meals in Paris for $46). If you really want to wade through a bunch of crap to see what all the requirements/limitations are, go to:

http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/irb/2003-45_IRB/ar17.html

 

[falconpilot]

We operate just like the company G200 works for.... We pay for everything on our company AMEXs plus we get a $2000 cash expense account for interantional trips just incase some places don't accept AMEX, and for tips and handling fees. Company pays for our cell phones, but if you go over your plan, you pay the difference. The perks of flying corporate can be great. Just don't abuse them.