I haven't ever itemized my pilot deductions before. I always add ALPA dues, but that usually about does it. I've heard about people itemizing their cell phones, computers, internet service, etc. Also having a company or computer program that helps deduct travel costs vs. per diem. I heard this could add up if you travel internationally, can anybody verify this??


Just wondering if it worth it to use a tax service or just use turbo tax...

Thanks

I do all of that plus dry cleaning expenses, cable TV (part of it for aviation weather), cell phone (for RSV/DFT trips), luggage, uniform expenses exceeding the reimbursable amount ...

I have not however found a legitimate way to deduct items such as my crash pad or airport car??? Any suggestions???

Anything that you use for your job can arguably be deducted as a misc. business expense. Example include those mentioned, second phone lines, new uniforms (above whatever your company pays), notebook computers you use for work, cellphones (on reserve?), professional organizations and periodicals (Aviation Week, for those who can still stomach it), etc.

You can always hire a tax guy and go through this with her/him as well ... and you'll get a better answer.

Mark, do you do your own taxes or use a service???

I did use the www.pro-diem.com people for the first time this year. Added about $600 to my refund and I had a light schedule last year. Two thumbs up for the $50 service.

I'll second that...great and prompt service.

B2P

Cell phone, computer plus programs (BidBest, etc...), I bought a back-up hard drive last year and itemized that also, ISP I also claim, uniform dry cleaning (yes, even the pittance at SFS), uniforms over the company limit, cab fares I had to pay when I didn't have a dev bank to cover them, mileage to/from the arpt for work, and last year I bought a backup pair of Rx glasses to put in my bag, claimed those too. All of this I claimed as a professional business expense.

I couldn't figure out either how to claim an airporter car and I no longer have a crashpad.

The per diem deduction has a potential to be huge. For example, the US Gov't ALLOWABLE daily per diem rate (from the IRS.gov site) in KIX is $191.00 per day as of 1Dec07. FedEx only pays $64.80 max per day ($2.70 x 24 hrs). In '07, pilots are allowed to claim 75% of the difference (in '08 it goes to 80%). See your tax guy/gal, your mileage may vary, I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night, yada, yada, yada.......

my cpa noticed a few years back that the perdiem recap pages on the fdx website show the difference between the govt allowable and what the company pays on the page itself. I just go through and subtract the difference and add them all up for the year. It is already calculated to the hour. This year you are allowed to claim 75% of this and next year it goes to 80%

Tips to ground transportation drivers ...

Is the tax savings that much for only domestic routes? Thanks.