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Thu Dec 11, 2008 6:46 am

Question for anyone... I have had to live away from home for the past year due to my work. Can I deduct the living expenses, rent, utilities, anything? its 85 miles from home, if that matters.

Any resources where i can look this up without paying $$$

thanks

Thu Dec 11, 2008 6:51 am

What kind of work do you do? It really matters what kind of fom you will be filing and recieving, w-2, 10-99?

Thu Dec 11, 2008 7:07 am

Ag research, w-2 and 1040

Thu Dec 11, 2008 7:23 am

Ok, with a w-2 you are kind of screwed for deducting anything. I know for a fact that you we not going to be able to deduct anything for your personal vehicle, mileage or gas reciepts. You might be able to fall under some law about a second home for work puposes, so some (not all) of your expense might be able to be deducted. If you are planning on doing your own taxes I would suggest that you go talk to a competent tax man now before the end of the year and the start of the busy season. It may cost $100 or so but he will be able to tell you for your situation and state what and how much is deductable. Then he can show you the tax laws that you will fall under and you can do your own taxes and if the IRS or state has anything to saw then you have paper to fall back on. To truely know the answer one would have to see everything and what state but here is not the place for that.

W-2's are hard to work around. Everything that I do I get a 10-99 and everything I do or have that is remotely related to the job is deductable.

Thu Dec 11, 2008 7:45 am

Check with your accountant. If you don't have one, get one.

Thu Dec 11, 2008 7:45 am

I survived an extensive tax audit by the IRS. They have no sense of humor at all. Depending on what's at stake, professional advice is probably your best bet. It's great to know you have a professional to represent and handle your case if the situation arises.

As far as deductions go, you need to be very cautious. Many people on their own deduct everything they can and then at audit time find out it isn't accepted. You of course can appeal their decision in tax court, but remember tax attorneys are extremely expensive.

Thu Dec 11, 2008 7:51 am

notchback wrote: Check with your accountant. If you don't have one, get one. :roll: Getting tax advice on the InterWeb Thingy is perfectly fine. Have you seen what an experienced and knowledgeable tax accountant charges?

Thu Dec 11, 2008 7:53 am

Yes vwgurgle said he didnt want to spend any cash looking this up.

Thu Dec 11, 2008 8:09 am

This is the first time and not the last were I have to work away from home. This was curiosity to see if I had options and if others had similar situations. I was not expecting the finest available tax advice on a VW site were many spend all they have$$ on a car that "has potential" :wink: . Just some pointers in a general direction...

thanks

Thu Dec 11, 2008 8:10 am

If you continued to pay rent/mortgage at home while paying motel/rent for your job it's deductible unless your employer paid you extra "per diem".

Thu Dec 11, 2008 8:11 am

Icy wrote: Have you seen what an experienced and knowledgeable tax accountant charges?

I have not. I am 28 my wife is still in school, it was kind of not even on the radar. Is this something that important that would be worth utilizing for a single income?

Thu Dec 11, 2008 8:13 am

Questions

Was it employer mandated or did you choose to live closer instead of commuting?

Self Employed "contractor" or employee?

If you said "no" to your employer would you have then been let go?

Did your employer at any time give you extra money for any travel or living expenses? If so, a wad of cash, a company check or a company credit card to use?

Did you move there and have the US Post Office deliver mail there or did you continue to get mail at Home?

Is "home" living with Mom and Dad in your old bedroom for free or are you married living on your own and left your "real" home and family behind?

Dave

Thu Dec 11, 2008 8:14 am

Mike Fisher wrote: If you continued to pay rent/mortgage at home while paying motel/rent for your job it's deductible unless your employer paid you extra "per diem".

"Well your Honor, I obtained most of my tax advice from the Samba".

:lol: :lol:

Thu Dec 11, 2008 8:22 am

djkeev wrote: Questions

Was it employer mandated or did you choose to live closer instead of commuting?

Self Employed "contractor" or employee?

If you said "no" to your employer would you have then been let go?

Did your employer at any time give you extra money for any travel or living expenses? If so, a wad of cash, a company check or a company credit card to use?

Did you move there and have the US Post Office deliver mail there or did you continue to get mail at Home?

Is "home" living with Mom and Dad in your old bedroom for free or are you married living on your own and left your "real" home and family behind?

Dave

Before the hiring process I was asked if i could live in woodland, I said yes. I may not have a job If I lived at home.

employee

No compensation from employer to live near by.

Some mail is delivered here, important things like insurance, pay stub, voter registration is mailed home.

Home is with wife and on our own left her in Chico. We no no set in stone future of living situation.

Thu Dec 11, 2008 8:25 am

69 Jim wrote: Mike Fisher wrote: If you continued to pay rent/mortgage at home while paying motel/rent for your job it's deductible unless your employer paid you extra "per diem".

"Well your Honor, I obtained most of my tax advice from the Samba".

:lol: :lol:

:lol: :lol:

"Why did you deduct xxxx?"

"69Jim & Deathbus told me it was ok to do it"

"WTF?!"

Thu Dec 11, 2008 8:26 am

Deductible! :lol: :lol:

Thu Dec 11, 2008 8:28 am

I have heard Mixed drinks and lap dances are deductable.

Thu Dec 11, 2008 8:29 am

Mike Fisher wrote: Deductible! :lol: :lol:

Sweet, So I can deduct $9000 this year. Man I will have a sweet return this year :D

Thu Dec 11, 2008 9:05 am

Taxes ? :-k

- Chester

Thu Dec 11, 2008 9:16 am

wgargan wrote: Mike Fisher wrote: Deductible! :lol: :lol:

Sweet, So I can deduct $9000 this year. Man I will have a sweet return this year :D

Are you itemizing otherwise? The gov't figures you and your wife spent ~$11K on that stuff already. Do you own or rent your home in Chico? Also, IF your Woodland expenses are deductible, they are only deductible to the extent that they exceed 2% of your Adjusted Gross Income.