Deductions and Write-Offs
The most frequently asked tax questions related to Deductions and Write-Offs
What are the per diem rates for travel outside the US?
Asked Monday, November 14, 2011 by an anonymous userCPA Answer:
Different rates apply for travel in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and US Possessions and foreign countries. Go to www.gsa.goc to get rates.
What is the per diem rate for incidentals?
Asked Monday, November 14, 2011 by an anonymous userCPA Answer:
You have the option of deducting the actual expenses or a allowance of $5.
What is the current year IRS Meal Allowance?
Asked Monday, November 14, 2011 by an anonymous userCPA Answer:
For travel within the US the 2011 meal allowance is $46 a day. But higher rates apply to certain high cost areas designated by the government. These higher rates can be found in IRS Pub 1542 at www.irs.gov/formspubs/index.html or www.gsa.gov and click on per diem rates.
Are my meal costs during overtime deductible?
Asked Monday, November 14, 2011 by an anonymous userCPA Answer:
These costs are not deductible if you are not away from your place of business.
Are my business travel expenses for the cruise ship deductible?
Asked Monday, November 14, 2011 by an anonymous userCPA Answer:
If you travel by cruise ship for business the deductible cruise ship costs are limited to 2x the highest federal per diem rate for travel in the US. go to www.gsa.gov and click on per diem rates.
Are my cell phone calls made while commuting to work deductible?
Asked Monday, November 14, 2011 by an anonymous userCPA Answer:
The IRS states that any cell phone calls made while commuting to work are not deductible.
Are there deductible commuting expenses?
Asked Monday, November 14, 2011 by an anonymous userCPA Answer:
The IRS allows 2 exceptions. If you are on a business trip out of town you may deduct taxi fares and other transportation costs from your hotel to your first business call and all other transportation costs between business calls. Also the additional costs of transporting tools to work are deductible.
Are travel costs deductible from my home office?
Asked Monday, November 14, 2011 by an anonymous userCPA Answer:
If your home office is your principal place of business, you can deduct travel costs between the home office and the offices of your customers or clients.
Temporary place of work
Asked Monday, November 14, 2011 by an anonymous userCPA Answer:
The IRS considers a work location temporary is one at which the employment is realistically expected to last and actually does last for a period of 1 year or less. A worker can deduct their unreimbursed costs of driving to temporary locations.