Tax Deductions...Per-Diem

[qxeplt]

bin LAAidoff:

Thanks for the info and the link to the IRS. Sounds like I won't be getting that deduction...

 

[ualORD]

flight attendant gave me this site skytax.net. It may be some help.

 

[atpcliff]

re: Deducting Crashpad

Hi!

This is third-hand, from a aviation tax specialist:
You can deduct your crashpad and all commuting expenses.

My personal view:
If you read the above post, it does sound like you cannot deduct your crashpad, but it's written about someone working for a company that has only one base.
In most pilots' cases, your airline has multiple bases. If you are based in LAX, and your crashpad is there, is there any guarantee that you will be based in LAX next year, or even in two months?
There is another part of the IRS regulation that more accurately (in my opinion) describes the situation when your company has multiple bases, and you may be moving around to the various bases at the companie's discretion, as most of us are.
If you can make a logical, reasoned arguement, based on the IRS regulations, to support your claim, then I would claim it.

I am claiming my crashpad and commuting costs.

Cliff
GB,WI

PS-Please note: I am just a regular guy, not an accouting or tax professional. The above is based on what I have learned, and may not be (entirely) correct.

 

[NR133]

It's all in the interpretation and if they ever ask? The only thing they can say is no!

 

[TurboS7]

Great post thanks for all the info. It is that time again.

 

[NR133]

Here is another Tax Site. They also do flight crews taxes, called CPADALY.com. They look like they would do a good job, but they are very expensive. They start at $245!

 

[ualORD]

Good pla

 

[72Longhorn]

Also, don't forget......

Don't forget:

Cell phones, Interview expenses, moving expenses (milage), uniform costs, dry cleaning, ear-pieces/ headsets, flight bags.

I've even heard of some people deducting their Lap top computers. I don't know how, but they do. Oh, and a home office can also be deducted!

If anyone knows of anything else I can deduct let me know.

72Longhorn

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

You CAN deduct your computer, printer, and all other major items. To do so, you are only allowed to dedect/depreciate the % value of each item that is actually used for the business purpose. For example, if you use your computer/scanner/printer/fax machine 40% of the time with something to do with flying/airline job, you can deduct 40%.

If you are going to deduct 100%, make sure that you ONLY use the item for the business purpose, which may be possible, for example, if you have 2 computers and use the 2nd for all personal/non-business purposes.

Home office deductions are fairly difficult to get, because you have to use the space/equipment in your home ONLY for business. You must not use that physical space for anything except that business use. If you do qualify (we don't), then you can depreciate that % of the house (that % of the square footage), but that then affects the value of the house when you sell it.

I use TurboTax, which sits you down at your computer, like it's the accountant, and then asks you 20 millions questions. When you use it the 2nd year (like most all other tax programs, I assume), it automatically downloads all of last years info/forms/schedules, etc., which saves a lot of time.

The first year my taxes were "complicated", I used a tax attorney. I was asking her to explain the depreciation on my vehicle, and she said she had no idea how it was done, the computer program did it. I thought, why pay her way more that a computer program, when I can buy the program, do it myself, and save $.

Good Luck!!!

NOTE: Once again, I'm just a guy. I'm not a tax professional, so I definitely could be wrong about parts/all of the statements made above.

Cliff
GB,WI

PS-The key to taxes, especially if you have more deductions than the standard deduction, is to keep thorough records throughout the year as you go along. I put ours on one giant spreadsheet. It makes tax time MUCH easier!

 

[NR133]

You can deduct your computer! But you have to depreciate it over a 5 year period. If you spent $3000, that's good for $600 for the next 5 years. Just don't forget to use it next year.