Tax Q. regarding per diem

[druglord]

according to the standard gov meals allowances I calculated about $9500 for the year minus the company's $5300 for the year for a grand total deduction of $4200 for 2007.

Do these numbers sound about right?

company pays 1.40/hr per diem

 

[viper548]

Yeah, that's about right.

 

[druglord]

thanks for the help

 

[dbchandler1]

is there an online calculator to figure the standard expenses for TAFB?

 

[viper548]

You can look the per diem rates up on the internet or you can use a generic amount if $52/day domestic $57/day international. You can only use 75% on the first and last days of a trip. Nothing on locals.

 

[trainer8]

is there an online calculator to figure the standard expenses for TAFB?

The rate is a Standard Transportation worker rate published by the IRS. It is $52.

However, you can take the actual city MIE rate which may be higher. You gotta figure it out. IF you are doing all LAX/LGA/PHL RONs, your rate will be over the $52 rate. If your RONs are in Bumpass, VA, the stadard rate will be better. Which ever one you use, you have to use it for the whole year, not mix it up.

T8

 

[FishandFly]

So, by looking at the majority of mei rates asa goes to, they are consistantly $39 or $44. Are you saying that I can use $52 instead of that rate?

Next, APDL breaks up the daily amount on the last day of a trip. What do you all do for that last day?

Or, What do you do for a nap (standup/highspeed)?

 

[viper548]

So, by looking at the majority of mei rates asa goes to, they are consistantly $39 or $44. Are you saying that I can use $52 instead of that rate?

Next, APDL breaks up the daily amount on the last day of a trip. What do you all do for that last day?

Or, What do you do for a nap (standup/highspeed)?

Yep, you can use the $52 instead of the $39 or $44. You have to use the $52 for EVERY overnight if you choose that method. For the first and last day you multiply the allowable rate by .75 and use that. If you use the $52, then the first and last day would be $39.

This year I used the $52/57 method. Standups are 52*.75 for the first day and 52*.75 for the second day. $78 total.

 

[Aerosurfer]

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[viper548]

Here are some other deductions I have come up with.
-Van driver tips
-FAA physical
-Mileage, Hotel, Perdiem on my drive to/from upgrade training
-Daily mileage from hotel to training during upgrade
-Uniform items
-Job search fees (airlineapps, resumes, books, software)
-Batteries for headset/flashlight
-Headset
-Home phone (use only for faxing to my company)
-Part of home internet (online training)
-Part of cell phone
-Printer ink/paper (schedules, training bulletins, resume's)
-Cost of tax prep software
-Charitable donations
-Child daycare
-Mortgage

 

[twighead]

Here are some other deductions I have come up with.
-Van driver tips
-FAA physical
-Mileage, Hotel, Perdiem on my drive to/from upgrade training
-Daily mileage from hotel to training during upgrade
-Uniform items
-Job search fees (airlineapps, resumes, books, software)
-Batteries for headset/flashlight
-Headset
-Home phone (use only for faxing to my company)
-Part of home internet (online training)
-Part of cell phone
-Printer ink/paper (schedules, training bulletins, resume's)
-Cost of tax prep software
-Charitable donations
-Child daycare
-Mortgage

According to the IRS publication, tips are included in the daily allowance and shouldn't be separate. Not a big deal, but I though I'd put it out there

 

[Motown]

Yep, you can use the $52 instead of the $39 or $44. You have to use the $52 for EVERY overnight if you choose that method. For the first and last day you multiply the allowable rate by .75 and use that. If you use the $52, then the first and last day would be $39.

This year I used the $52/57 method. Standups are 52*.75 for the first day and 52*.75 for the second day. $78 total.

First, let me say that you can deduct anything you want to. The only time it is an issue is if you get audited... then you have to justify your deductions.

Having said that, I interpret the following differences in the IRS pubs from what you listed:

1. CDO (stand-up, highspeed, naps, illegals, whatever) are NOT allowed to be deducted at all because the trip does not include a DOT-required rest period away from your home.

2. Government employees must use 75% on the first and last days of the trip. Everyone else must use a single standard that you apply all year long. The example in the IRS Publication shows a non-government employee deducting 100% every day of the trip, including on the first and last days. That's what I do.

 

[SiuDude]

Isn't only 75% of a transportation employee's M&IE deductible? So, if you're using $52 a day, I though you could only deduct $39 of it. I'm kind of unclear on that.

 

[legalalien]

Isn't only 75% of a transportation employee's M&IE deductible? So, if you're using $52 a day, I though you could only deduct $39 of it. I'm kind of unclear on that.

You can deduct 75% of the difference between what the government allows and what your company reimbursed you. So if you had 100 days at the $52 rate and you received $4000 from your company in Nontax perdiem you could deduct 75%*(5200-4000) or $900.

I used experdiem and plugged the numbers in to Turbotax - it couldn't have been easier. Since I had trips through Europe and the Middle east as well as Domestic the actual rate calculated by ezperdiem was much higher than the standard for me.

 

[CLR2LAN]

So is regional per diem recorded and reported?

So you are comming up with your deduction based on number of days * STD Rate minus any company per diem. OK?

What would you guys be doing then if your per diem isn't recorded/reported? Corp/Charter ect...

 

[pookie]

I just bought a laptop and is that deductible since i use it to check my schedule and weather?

I also deduct my entire cell phone since i can prove that i was on reserve the entire year and it is a requirement for my job.

 

[regionalcap]

www.crewtaxes.com

avoid the hassle and let them do it right

'nuff said

 

[SiuDude]

You can deduct 75% of the difference between what the government allows and what your company reimbursed you. So if you had 100 days at the $52 rate and you received $4000 from your company in Nontax perdiem you could deduct 75%*(5200-4000) or $900.

I used experdiem and plugged the numbers in to Turbotax - it couldn't have been easier. Since I had trips through Europe and the Middle east as well as Domestic the actual rate calculated by ezperdiem was much higher than the standard for me.

Thanks, that makes sense. I let FLICA figure out my deduction last year, but this year I'll go it alone.

 

[regionalcap]

2. Government employees must use 75% on the first and last days of the trip. Everyone else must use a single standard that you apply all year long. The example in the IRS Publication shows a non-government employee deducting 100% every day of the trip, including on the first and last days. That's what I do.

You fall under the transportation category. You cannot deduct 100% every day. It has to be prorated. Read page 6 of this publication.

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p463.pdf

 

[DoinTime]

Rule number 1: Never take tax advise from unknown people off the internet.

I just bought a laptop and is that deductible since i use it to check my schedule and weather?

I also deduct my entire cell phone since i can prove that i was on reserve the entire year and it is a requirement for my job.

Does your company require you to own a laptop? Do they not provide you with a means to check you schedule and weather at work? Do you use it for personal use? I also believe computers have to be depreciated.

Do you use your cell phone for personal use as well? I would venture so.