do i need RECEIPTS to prove my per diem?

Question

I went to asu-n and got my cdl and the trainers in there said that i did not need reciepts to claim the max per diem. unless i was getting audited. i live in arkansas and travel all 48 states. what advise can you give me on this. any web sites you have that share this information will help, thaks

Answer 1

No you shouldn't need them. Per Diem is different than expenses

Answer 2

It's always a good idea to retain your receipts. If you are unfortunate enough to ever get audited, if you can't back up your deductions, they'll likely be disallowed. Then you owe penalties and taxes retroactively. Ouch.

Just stick a box in your truck that you put all receipts into. Once a month, put them all in an envelope, label the month, and put it somewhere to store. Hang onto them for 7 years, then discard. If you start it right, and keep it up, it shouldn't take you much time at all, and you'll have everything you need if it's ever actually needed.

I can totally see truck drivers being audited. Ambiguous expenses, tons of write-offs, possible off-book cash jobs on the side, lots of ways to hide or reduce your true income. And a fairly high gross income from which to start those deductions. All of which, to me, would seem ripe for auditing if I were the IRS.

Best to be careful, and with less than 10 minutes per month of time spent, you should be able to keep reasonable records just in case you do ever get that audit letter in the mail.

Answer 3

I receive 157.00/day for per diem and the allowable rate is 192.00 do I have to save receipts being I am under the allowable rate?

Answer 4

You need receipts for all lodging expenses and any single expense item of more than $25.00.

A detailed written diary of all expenses kept at the time of the expenditure will suffice for other expenses of $25.00 or less.