I want new ideas on this issue. I have always said that traveling salesmen and others should not be able to?

Question

deduct a part of their income taxes as "car expenses." I say that they use their car exactly the same way I used mine. We both use our cars to take us to our place of employment. It is not my fault that they choose to work "all over the place." They made that decision. I did not force it on them. So, if we both use our cars for the same purpose, to take us to work, why do the tax payers have to subsidize them and not me?

Answer 1

I'm with you on this I commute 45 km to work every day because I couldn't afford a house near work and no one helps me with the cost of getting to work.

Answer 2

Try this analogy.
If a person was operating a tow truck business, he might drive his car from home to work (commuting), and then get in his tow truck and go around towing vehicles. The expenses of the tow truck are clearly business expenses which are written off against gross income.
The only difference with the salesman is that he uses the same vehicle for commuting, and for conducting his business.

Answer 3

Well, run for Congress then and try to get it changed. Good luck, you're going to need it!

FYI, though, you're NOT using your cars for the same purpose. You are using it solely for commuting. The person who has to travel as part of their work is using it FOR their work, not just for commuting. Their first trip in the morning and last trip in the evening are non-deductible commuting miles just as yours are. The remaining use is business use and is fully deductible, just as yours would be if you ran errands or travelled between sites for your employer.

Answer 4

A traveling salesman's car is a work tool. Your car for commuting is not. The tax code treats the different uses differently.

Answer 5

IDK, try deducting your fuel expenses, dont forget to keep the receipts. Whats the worset that can happen