Income tax time always makes me think of a “great wrong” in our tax system. Traveling salesmen and others can
May 28
Question by Bluebeard: Income tax time always makes me think of a “great wrong” in our tax system. Traveling salesmen and others can
deduct the cost of there “business travel” in their personal car from their income tax. Why? Well, they say, “But I have to travel because of my job.” Well, I TOO have to travel because of my job. I have to get there and back. That is EXACTLY the same as the way a traveling saleman uses his car. It takes him to where he works. My car takes me to where I work. There is no difference. I am not responsible for him taking a job that requires him to drive so much. That was his choice. So, since we both use our cars in exactly the same way, I think I should be able to deduct the cost of driving to and from my job. What do you think?
Best answer:
Answer by Insurance Biz CT
I use my car differently than you do. Yes, I drive to an most days just like you. I cannot deduct the mileage to and from my office from and to my house.
If, during the course of my day, I have to visit a client or prospective client, I can deduct the mileage for that trip.
I usually drive about 34K per year, but only deduct about 15K in unreimbursed mileage.
Can you understand the difference?
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
You are commuting, he is traveling for his job. There is a difference which you are missing. If you travel for your job (let’s say from your office to a customer/client’s office or an offsite meeting), you ALSO can deduct that mileage as an unreimbursed job expense. Or your employer can pay for your mileage.
commuting expenses are not deductible.
you choose to work where you work,
You can choose to live within walking distance of your job if you like.
A traveling salesman will be required to travel regardless of where he lives, as there is not a single “normal place of business” where he works.
Going to and from your regular place of business is commuiting, and is not deductible. Any travel outside of that is business travel, and is deductible. Travel for meetings elewhere, business errands, etc.
Also if you have two jobs, the travel *between* jobs is deductible milage.
You can still write it off, can’t you? THe gas mileage that is. You would need all your receipts, as I’m sure you know this already.
Sadly, salesman is not the best job! You use your mileage quickly and sometimes don’t even make sales! So the least the company that is forcing you to use your own car, should reimburse your gas.