07/07/2022 02:25
As a truck driver, you incur a lot of costs when driving. Fueling up, eating, and sleeping cost money.
That's why most trucking companies find it more convenient and practical to be part of a Consortium/Third-Party Administrators (C/TPAs) like Labworks USA to manage all, or part, of an employer's DOT drug and alcohol testing program and other DOT or FMCSA compliance needs. THIS SAVE THEM A LOT OF TIME AND RESOURCES that they can redirect on any unprecedented additional expenses. We perform tasks as agreed to by the employer to assist in implementing the drug and alcohol testing program and to help keep the employer compliant with the DOT/FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Testing rules and regulations. We as a DOT Consortium can help you.Truck drivers can use tax season to claim
truck driver tax credits and get some of that cash back.
If you're employed by a trucking company and earn a W-2 at year-end,
unfortunately, none of the job-related expenses you incur are tax-deductible.
However, if you're a self-employed driver, you can deduct expenses associated
with your work.
As an owner/operator, you should receive a 1099-NECat the end of
each tax year if any customer has paid you more than $1,000 during the year.
You'll use those W2 forms, plus your own records, to report your truck driving
income and expenses on Schedule C. You may also need Schedule SE to report
self-employment taxes. You'll file both forms along with your Form 1120 tax
return.
Here are some common tax deductions you may be able to claim.
Truck drivers who belong to unions or other trucking associations
often get better pay and benefits than nonunionized truckers. You can deduct
any membership fees you pay to belong to a union, as long as they are required
for business or help you advance your trucking career.
If you use phones, tablets, and laptops exclusively for work,
they're 100 percent deductible. So you can claim the full costs of the devices
and your monthly data or Internet plans. If you use the phone for both business
and personal uses, you can only deduct business expenses.
Even if you only wear it at work, you're not allowed to deduct its
cost from your taxes. However, specialized clothing and safety gear needed for
your work, such as goggles or back braces, may be tax-deductible.
Many drivers pay for driver training to obtain or maintain their CDL
licenses. If you use this education to further your skills in your current
field of work or if it's necessary for your job, you may be able to deduct the
costs.
Anything you need to run your trucking business is deductible,
including:
You must maintain commercial auto liability and property insurance
on your truck, but you may also purchase insurance for cargo or lost income due
to a business interruption. You can deduct these premiums as a business
expense.
You may also need to pay for your own healthcare coverage. This is
deductible but you don't need to claim it as a business expense. Instead, you
deduct health, dental, and eye insurance premiums for yourself, your spouse,
and any dependents on Schedule A (Itemized Deductions).
Whether you can deduct your meals depends on whether you travel by
car, bus, train, or plane. The first step is determining where your tax home
is. Usually, this is your home address or business HQ. You can only deduct your
meals while away from your home overnight, or at the very least for a long
enough time to require a stop to rest or sleep. Local drivers cannot deduct
their food and drink expenses from their income, but long-distance truckers
can.
You have two options for deducting meals: the actual expense method
or the per diem allowance. To calculate the actual expense method, you must
keep track of what you spent on meals, including tips, taxes, and any other
expenses.
The IRS allows most industries to claim 50% of their meal expenses,
but drivers who are subject to the DOT’s “Hours of Service” rules can claim
80%. Hours of Service rules require truck drivers who have driven a specified
number of hours to stop and take a break for an assigned period of hours.
Per diem is less work. You don't need to keep track of every
expense. Just keep track of a daily allowance. That set amount depends on where
and when you're traveling.
You may deduct other travel expenses you incur while you're away
from your tax home for an overnight stay (or longer). This can include:
Although the IRS has a per diem rate for lodging in other
industries, truck drivers are required to claim actual lodging expenses. They
cannot claim the per diem rate the way they can with meal expenses.
Many drivers must get annual physicals as a condition of their
employment. This includes drug and alcohol testing and more These required
exams are deductible business expenses. Other regular medical expenses include
doctor visits and prescriptions for things like diabetes, high blood pressure,
asthma, etc. These expenses are only deductible if you take them out on
Schedule A.
Here's a list of DOT Consortium services we offer at Labworks USA with respective rates that can be your reference to have better expense projections.
Your traditional office expenses for your truck-driving business are
deductible. This may include:
A lot of smaller purchases are necessary for life on the road. This
might include a:
You can also deduct expenses for showering or doing laundry while
traveling for business. Keep track of these expenses, as they can really add
up.
If you subscribe to trucking-related publications, you can deduct
the full cost of your subscription.
You can deduct any taxes and licenses you pay for your business,
including the Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax and the cost of maintaining a CDL
license.
The IRS considers a semi-truck to be a qualified non-personal-use
vehicle. This means you can claim all the actual expenses of operating the
vehicle, including:
While other business-use vehicles can use a standard mileage method
for deducting vehicle expenses, this option isn't available to semi-truck
drivers.
There are a few common costs of driving a truck that isn't
deductible, including:
All in all, the main factor in whether an expense is deductible or
not is whether it's ordinary and necessary for business and whether you have a
record of the expense.
Record-keeping is extremely important, so be sure to keep copies of
receipts and other paperwork to back up the expenses you claim on your tax
return.
Now, when it is already time to file your taxes, we highly recommend
for you to seek support from Simple Truck Tax. They are one of our partners at Labworks USA.
If you are looking for more information about drug and alcohol testing as a truck driver, visit LabWorks USA. Our DOT Consortium's friendly team will be more than happy to discuss any concerns you may have and work with you to ensure you are always fully compliant specially with random DOT drug and alcohol testing pre-employment testing. Moreover, if you need help with FMCSA Clearinghouse registration, we can further support you.