Irs publication 463 contains the rules and regulations for deducting business travel, entertainment, gift, and car expenses. Irs publication 463 travel expenses for truck drivers. A good rule to follow for deductions would be any expenses incurred that are necessary or required in the performance of your job andor operation of the truck but are not reimbursed by your company, such as uniforms, gloves, logbooks, maps, cell phone, cb, tools, windex, paper towels, showers, etc. Truck allowance vs company vehicle posted by bearcrocs on 1229 at 2. Perdiem rate for truckers, owneroperator independent. Tax time is always a headache for drivers and trucking companies, but this tax season they are facing the most far. New approach for truck drivers to claim their meal. A selfemployed truck drivers tax home may be at the headquarters where the trucking assignments are given out, even if that is far from where they live. How do i calculate meal expenses for truck drivers as per diem. Truck drivers who are independent contractors can claim a variety of tax deductions while on the road. What is daily per diem allowance for truck drivers. Mileage, daily meal allowances, truck repair maintenance, overnight hotel expenses, and union dues are some of the tax deductions available. Tax reform passed in 2017 created sweeping change for truckers and carriers. Selfemployed truck drivers may also deduct 80% of the special standard meal allowance rate or their actual expenses.
Per diem, as it relates to how trucking companies pay their drivers, is a portion of their salary paid to the driver untaxed, technically as a meal and expense reimbursement. The meal amounts have been published in a revised taxation determination and provide separate amounts for each meal. However, local truck drivers typically cannot deduct travel expenses. Per diem for truck drivers lets you take a daily allowance for food and incidentals which is a fancy way of saying tips. Purpose this annual notice provides the 2014 2015 special per diem rates for taxpayers to use in substantiating the amount of ordinary and necessary business expenses incurred while traveling away from home, specifically 1 the special transportation.