HI ALL
It seems that there is much confusiion about the per deim and how it works,
On the day you leave it is based on the time of day, if you leave from 6AM to Noon it is 3/4 day, noon to 6PM is considered 1/2 day, and after 6 PM to midnight a 1/4 day.
If you are in a cargo van, the best way is to log just for the heck of it, Only under hazmat you must meet DOT Regs and under the 70 hour rule, otherwise it is not necessary
When I was on the road myself in the cargo van, I used a Steno Notebook
on the left side right side starting mileage leaving home and time
Shipper
address
city
phone
date of pick up
time.
Receiver
Address
City
Phone
Time of Delivery
Tate of Delivery
Right Side was for my mileage deduction
Starting Mileage (Deadhead) plus time left
Starting Mileage (loaded)
Every place I stopped, fuel, eat, etc, nap, etc
ending mileage (Delivery) and deadhead to truckstop unless new load was ready for pickup
this is your Proof of per diem
one you leave your home residence, you are out for the total time, weather your sitting in a truckstop, or wal mart parking lot,. If you have to do a repair, depending on that repair
if major and you go home immed, you are out of service and the per diem is over for that trip
If it is repairable on the road the per diem continues throughout the time spent on the truck.
I hope this trys to clear up some of the confusion.
Franklin Katz, ATP ,PA, PB
Frank’s Tax and Business Service
120 York Rd
Kings Mountain, NC 28086-3151
(704) 739-4039
Fax: (704) 739-3934
Providing Professional Accounting Services and Income Tax Preparation
Circular 230 Disclaimer – Any tax advice in this communication (including any attachments) is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by any taxpayer for the purpose of (1) avoiding tax related penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (2) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or tax-related matters addressed herein.