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View Full Version : Confused about Per diem


tigerlili23
Feb 8, 2009, 09:20 AM
My husband just became a OTR truck driver last year. He says he can claim $52 a day for each day he is out. But it is not listed on his w-2s. He says he can still claim it, but we have no idea how. We are trying to e-file. Can anyone help us figure out how to do this?:confused:

AtlantaTaxExpert
Feb 18, 2009, 03:26 PM
He CAN claim it as an employee business expense, which makes it a tricky issue.

First, the expense must be documented on Form 2106, then the final figures transferred to the MISCELLANEOUS DEDUCTION section of Schedule A.

Then, 2% of your combined Adjusted Gross Income is subtracted from the amount claimed.

Then, the deduction, combined with the other itemized deductions, must exceed the $10,900 STANDARD deduction.

Finally, if his miscellaneous deduction exceeds about $25,000 for the year, the dreaded Alternative Minimum kicks in and takes the deduction over $25K away.

BOTTOM LINE: Get professional tax help to do this.