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hello_1581
Feb 11, 2013, 11:38 AM
I did work on a assignment 160 miles away from home for 4 months and than 3 months for another location 155 miles away from home. I stayed in hotel for 3-4 days and traveling back and for to home on weekends.

Can I deduct my mileage, motel stay and food amount (not during in town) during duration of the project?

Thanks,

AtlantaTaxExpert
Feb 11, 2013, 03:55 PM
Yes, you can, provided you did NOT get paid a tax-free allowance or per diem to cover those costs.

If you were reimbursed and the reimbursement was taxed, then claim the costs on Form 2106 and itemize the expenses under MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES on Schedule A.

hello_1581
Feb 11, 2013, 04:35 PM
I was not paid. I am a immigrant contractor. My company thought was I will move but I have family and I rent the place for my family and visit them on weekend.

How much I can put as a mileage. I drove almost around 750 miles a week for last 8 months (33 weeks). Can I claim all ,and spend around 4k just in motel and around 2k in food.

Thanks,

AtlantaTaxExpert
Feb 11, 2013, 08:13 PM
Claim the mileage you actually drove, and create a mileage log on your cell phone calendar.

For lodging, keep the receips.

For food, use the per diem rates in IRS Pub 1542, Table 3 for the locations where you worked. If the rate is $51, subtract $9 for MISCELLANEOUS costs and the rest ($42) for your food costs. You will probably come out ahead and you do NOT have to prove the food costs.

hello_1581
Feb 12, 2013, 07:17 AM
Claim the mileage you actually drove, and create a mileage log on your cell phone calendar.

For lodging, keep the receips.

For food, use the per diem rates in IRS Pub 1542, Table 3 for the locations where you worked. If the rate is $51, subtract $9 for MISCELLANEOUS costs and the rest ($42) for your food costs. You will probably come out ahead and you do NOT have to prove the food costs.

What is the Per-Diem for Peoria, IL?

AtlantaTaxExpert
Feb 12, 2013, 09:18 AM
It is NOT listed in IRS Pub 1542, so you must use the default amount of $46 per day, split out as $9 for miscellaneous costs and $37 for food.

hello_1581
Feb 12, 2013, 09:21 AM
Thanks. Also, Can I claim expense for "Job finding"? I have W-2 from two different companies.

AtlantaTaxExpert
Feb 12, 2013, 09:27 AM
Only if you actually HAD expenses for a job search. That is also claimed under MISCELLANEOUS expenses on Schedule A.