[hello_1581]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Thanks. Also, Can I claim expense for "Job finding"? I have W-2 from two different companies.

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

Only if you actually HAD expenses for a job search. That is also claimed under MISCELLANEOUS expenses on Schedule A.