Truck Driver's taxes?

Question

My husband is a truck driver - over the road, not local. I've already filed our taxes for this year, however, after talking to other truck drivers, Im wondering if I should refile - Reason being - I didnt claim anything for his truck driving; i.e. meals, sleeping in his cab while away from home, etc. I dont want to pay a professional to do my taxes, however, I cant find that much info. on truck driver's taxes. Does anyone know how to find free info. on this? thanks so much.

Answer 1

You can use the standard meal allowance for meal expenses as long as he is not reimbursed. Actual overnight expenses can be claimed but you need to have records of these. You claim it on Schedule A—Itemized Deductions on line 20 and file form 2106.
Form 2106 and instructions can be found here.
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f2106.pdf
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i2106.pdf


From the IRS - Publication 463, Travel, Entertainment, Gift, and Car Expenses

"Special rate for transportation workers. You can use a special standard meal allowance if you work in the transportation industry. You are in the transportation industry if your work:
Directly involves moving people or goods by airplane, barge, bus, ship, train, or truck, and

Regularly requires you to travel away from home and, during any single trip, usually involves travel to areas eligible for different standard meal allowance rates.

If this applies to you, you can claim a standard meal allowance of $52 a day ($58 for travel outside the continental United States) from January 1, 2006, through December 31, 2006.

Using the special rate for transportation workers eliminates the need for you to determine the standard meal allowance for every area where you stop for sleep or rest. If you choose to use the special rate for any trip, you must use the special rate (and not use the regular standard meal allowance rates) for all trips you take that year. "

Answer 2

You should be able to pull up some information on the IRS web site, in Publication 17.

As a professional tax preparer, I need to let you know a couple of things. First, there's what they call a per diem rate which will apply. A person can get these rate tables from the IRS web site. If you use these rates, you'll need to be absolutely sure that the employer didn't reimburse him for any of these expenses. Meals may not be fully deductible, so you'll need to check on that. Also, whichever way you figure this, be sure you have and keep your receipts.

I suggest you go ahead and have someone at, say, Block take a look at it for you. You aren't obligated to pay for the amended return if you don't like the price of it. Most people do decide it's worth the money because a professional will know more things to deduct than what meets the eye. Give them a call and set up an appointment. You won't be sorry you did.

Answer 3

Is he paid on a W-2 or a 1099? I'm guessing a W-2 and he does not own the truck.

If he is paid on a W-2, did he get a per diem or not? If not, then you could take his meals and incidental expenses using Form 2106 and transferring it to Schedule A. The meals and incidental expenses depend on the area but are usually $52 per day.

If his meals and incidentals put you in a position to itemize on your taxes, then you should amend the return and see if you get money back or not. You may or may not get money back depending on other credits.

Publication 463 explains how to deduct some relevant expenses. Publication 1462 explains per diem rates in detail. These are available at irs.gov.

Answer 4

If he was driving a leased rig he was paid as an owner-operator and is self-employed. NOBODY is going to "file his taxes." That's entirely up to you two! His income and expenses will go on Schedule C or C-EZ. Expenses include the lease payments on the rig, fuel, maintenance, repairs, tolls, permits, taxes, lumpers' fees, hotels, lot fees, meals (50%), etc. The net profit then goes to line 12 of Form 1040 and also to Schedule SE to calculate the self-employment tax. None of this goes on Schedule A -- that's for personal itemized deductions like mortgage interest, charitable donations, etc., not business expenses. And you can't use Form 1040-A as another seems to think since you cannot file self-employment income on that form.

Answer 5

Just pay the accountant, you will more than make your money back especially if he is self employed. This is one of those things where being penny wise is dollar foolish. You will be glad you did.

Answer 6

IRS.gov they will answer all your questions FREE....You should definitely claim all legal expenses to earn money.....Nuf Said