I'm enjoying about a 2% reduction on my earned income that new tax law is providing. It far surpasses the small reduction in taxes owed, triggered by the old deduction on employee expenses. As income increases this new rate becomes much more valuable.

$16,200 in expenses that are over the 2% floor at the old 37% rate comes out to $6,000 in tax burden reduction. Total to meet the floor and gain the benefit on a $300,000 income is $22,200 in employee expenses.

$300,000 yearly income at 2% less tax comes to $6,000.

Been a pilot over 30 years, and I can tell you I've never come close to spending (per diem calculation) $16,200 a year.

I like the new deduction. But it's all a moot point. The green new deal ends all air transport in 10 years. We have bigger things to worry about than a per diem deduction.