Pilot Tax Q: Per Diem Deduction?
01-25-2011, 07:23 PM
#21
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,224
I recommend Pro-diem as well. Sent in my stuff last night, got it back this afternoon. I travel mainly international (70-30 or so). My totals came out close to 12K and a write off of close to 6.5K. I know people that do it themselves. Pro-diem produces a professional product that I would certainly give to an auditor if necessary. A great $59 investment if you ask me...
And yes, you have to itemize to get this deduction. I don't go nuts with my write offs, usually telephone, internet, union dues and per diem. There are some that write off tips and miscellaneous. I am terrible at record keeping, I just try to make it easy and hit the high points.
And yes, you have to itemize to get this deduction. I don't go nuts with my write offs, usually telephone, internet, union dues and per diem. There are some that write off tips and miscellaneous. I am terrible at record keeping, I just try to make it easy and hit the high points.
02-12-2011, 08:34 AM
#23
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2008
Posts: 111
I've tried PerDiem Traveler and its a really nice application. you should check it out. www.pdtraveler.com What I like about the application was it allow me to try it out before I purchase it.
02-17-2011, 07:38 AM
#24
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Posts: 302
I used to use ezperdiem.com, but switched to perdiemcalc.com this year. It's nice because it will calculate if you will save on your taxes before you actually pay anything. Plus, if you do need to end up paying, its cheaper than ezperdiem.
Just my 2 cents!!
Just my 2 cents!!
02-17-2011, 01:40 PM
#25
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2008
Posts: 111
Ask yourself...
Do I have to pay for this service every year? If the answer is yes, then its a service you don't need. PerDiem Traveler does NOT charge you every year, yet it DOES give you the same results as those annual fee required online servicers.
PerDiem Traveler features..
· An entry form that will calculate the M&IE (Meals & Incidental Expense) for each layover.
· Instant display both the M&IE rate and the rate for transportation employees for comparative analysis.
· User-defined airports links to each layover city for quick entry.
· Importing capability of Domestic and International Per Diem Rates.
· User-defined percentage amount to prorate the first and last day of each trip.
· Detailed Expense Reports, including a completed IRS Form 2106, for record keeping.
· Importing flight schedule capability from Flica into the Expense Report Log.
· Turbo Tax Guide to assist completing the information required.
· And much more; all for a very low price!
Don't pay for a service every year when you can pay ONCE and get the same result.
PerDiem Traveler
www.pdtraveler.com
Do I have to pay for this service every year? If the answer is yes, then its a service you don't need. PerDiem Traveler does NOT charge you every year, yet it DOES give you the same results as those annual fee required online servicers.
PerDiem Traveler features..
· An entry form that will calculate the M&IE (Meals & Incidental Expense) for each layover.
· Instant display both the M&IE rate and the rate for transportation employees for comparative analysis.
· User-defined airports links to each layover city for quick entry.
· Importing capability of Domestic and International Per Diem Rates.
· User-defined percentage amount to prorate the first and last day of each trip.
· Detailed Expense Reports, including a completed IRS Form 2106, for record keeping.
· Importing flight schedule capability from Flica into the Expense Report Log.
· Turbo Tax Guide to assist completing the information required.
· And much more; all for a very low price!
Don't pay for a service every year when you can pay ONCE and get the same result.
PerDiem Traveler
www.pdtraveler.com
03-02-2011, 01:48 PM
#26
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2010
Posts: 259
Thanks for all of the information in this thread, I originally thought about using the FLiCA service, but it seems a little steep comparatively. Does anyone have feedback for Flica?
I'm planning on trying all of the programs that involve a free trial, including crunching numbers myself and deciding from there.
EDIT: Since I pretty much only fly through the south and southeast, would it be fair to assume the standard deduction of $52 and $39 is close enough to not spend extra for a per diem program?
I'm planning on trying all of the programs that involve a free trial, including crunching numbers myself and deciding from there.
EDIT: Since I pretty much only fly through the south and southeast, would it be fair to assume the standard deduction of $52 and $39 is close enough to not spend extra for a per diem program?
Last edited by unit monster; 03-02-2011 at 02:43 PM.
03-02-2011, 06:19 PM
#27
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2007
Position: Sr. VP of button pushing
Posts: 2,730
You can go here Per Diem Rates and click around the map to see what the rates are for the cities you layover in. You're looking for the far right column, M & I.
03-02-2011, 06:52 PM
#28
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2008
Posts: 111
Originally Posted by unit monster
Since I pretty much only fly through the south and southeast, would it be fair to assume the standard deduction of $52 and $39 is close enough to not spend extra for a per diem program?
As for the programs, PerDiem Traveler does more than just display M&IE rates for each layover city. It allows you to register employee expenses, print detailed expense reports, including a completed Form 2106. It also will allow you to import the government per diem rates in the program.
PerDiem Traveler
www.pdtraveler.com
03-03-2011, 06:49 AM
#29
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2010
Posts: 259
It appears that the gsa.gov page gives the standard per diem rate at $46/day and almost all of my overnights are in that range. (JAN, CAE, MOB, FAY....) Where do you find the special rate for transportation workers?
I realize avi8tor has a business to promote, but is there any other informative air crew tax websites for free? note: PerDiem Traveler only supports windows based machines
I realize avi8tor has a business to promote, but is there any other informative air crew tax websites for free? note: PerDiem Traveler only supports windows based machines
03-03-2011, 06:22 PM
#30
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2008
Posts: 111
Originally Posted by unit monster
Where do you find the special rate for transportation workers?
Page 6, center column
Special rate for transportation workers. You can use a special standard meal allowance if you work in the transportation industry. You are in the transportation industry if your work:
- Directly involves moving people or goods by airplane, barge, bus, ship, train, or truck, and
- Regularly requires you to travel away from home and, during any single trip, usually involves travel to areas eligible for different standard meal allowance rates.
PerDiem Traveler
www.pdtraveler.com
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