Tax questions from LTL driver

madness · #1 (**permalink**) 02-09-2009, 12:01 PM

1. I arrive in Indy at 22:00 Monday. Leave at 1000 Tuesday. Company pays hotel. What can I claim per diem?

2. If I layover at several different states can I claim a standard amount? Is this the $52?

3. I have cell phone I use for work and personal. Need phone to receive work call and make calls to work. Bill is 49.99 month. Can I claim whole amount or partial?

Thank You for your time and response.

truckinusa · #2 (**permalink**) 02-14-2009, 05:27 AM

1. The per diem amount is for overnight travel. If you leave at noon you only were gone for 12 hours so thats half the per diem amount. A run where you have to go to bed in the motel would be overnight travel. A run where you go out 300 miles and return 300 miles would not be elgible for overnight travel.
2. Its $52 unless you leave the country or go to certain cities.
3. I deduct the entire amount. I don't know what the IRS says about it, but I believe everything I do on the phone is business related. Even talking to the wife. She pays the bills and manages the household. This is just my personal opinion and I have heard this from a Tax professional on the trucking shows too named Kevin Rutherford. If you are real concerned then only deduct the business use percentage of your phone use.

Bookkeeper1 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-10-2009, 02:13 PM

On issues of Cell Phone, Computers and some others, these are just 2 examples. The IRS views that if the expence is used for more than 50% business, then it 100% write off. If you dont, then you get no write off for the expence at all. Business travel in the US is subject to what the IRS calls the "All or Nothing Rule" Just make sure you keep good record on these expences and be ready to explain them if asked.

truckinusa · #4 (**permalink**) 03-10-2009, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bookkeeper1

On issues of Cell Phone, Computers and some others, these are just 2 examples. The IRS views that if the expence is used for more than 50% business, then it 100% write off. If you dont, then you get no write off for the expence at all. Business travel in the US is subject to what the IRS calls the "All or Nothing Rule" Just make sure you keep good record on these expences and be ready to explain them if asked.

That certainly explains the cell phone thing a little better.

Diesel66 · #5 (**permalink**) 04-18-2009, 03:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bookkeeper1

On issues of Cell Phone, Computers and some others, these are just 2 examples. The IRS views that if the expence is used for more than 50% business, then it 100% write off. If you dont, then you get no write off for the expence at all. Business travel in the US is subject to what the IRS calls the "All or Nothing Rule" Just make sure you keep good record on these expences and be ready to explain them if asked.

????????

that's the ONLY time I've ever heard that. Every other single person/website/whatever says you can deduct a percentage of cell phones and similar bills. Just like you can deduct a percentage of your rent/mortgage if you fit all the requirements of a home office. It's not an all or nothing.

Bookkeeper1 · #6 (**permalink**) 04-25-2009, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel66

????????

that's the ONLY time I've ever heard that. Every other single person/website/whatever says you can deduct a percentage of cell phones and similar bills. Just like you can deduct a percentage of your rent/mortgage if you fit all the requirements of a home office. It's not an all or nothing.

Yep! Your right! Keeping records of your calls is the only way to guarantee you are going to get the MAX out of this deduction. Ive never had a problem with any Client that met the 50% bracket on deducting the whole bill. But, you are right and yes if you only use the cell for 10% business then its a write off for the 10%. Im sorry if I mislead anyone on this issue, I wasnt thinking straight I guess when I stated that comment.

lol