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hendrata01
Aug 30, 2006, 10:50 AM
Hello,

I am a student working under F-1 OPT and expecting an H-1 soon.

I heard that while working under OPT, I am allowed to treat it as an "extended business trip", meaning that the housing/food/transportation expenses during this period are not taxable. Is this true? If so, where is the document that says so?

Thank you

AtlantaTaxExpert
Aug 30, 2006, 02:07 PM
First, when you took the OPT position, did you move from where you lived while on F-1? If not, then you cannot claim any deduction.

Second, if the OPT is longer than a year, even if you moved, the IRS does not consider it a "temporary" work assignment and the housing/food/transportation expenses would not be considered deductible.