Contract tips

[suzanne4]

Thought that I would post a few tips that should be at the top of your list when looking for a travel company and what should be in the contract.

1. If it is not in writing, then it does not exist. It does not matter what your recruiter promises, they do not have the authority to make special offers to you. All contracts are signed off on by the head of the company or the official that can sign the contract to make it official. Anything else that is not written in that contract just does not exist.

2. Check out what the per diem pay is in the area that you are choosing. Your pay should be similar to that, not significantly lower, and should be in at least the same range when living expenses such as rent are added in. Anything significantly different and your agency is taking money that should be yours, not theirs. There are quite a few of them that hope that the nurse is not aware of this.

3. Housing deductions need to be compatible with that area. Not that you are getting $3000 for housing and the apt is only $600 per month.

erd flags go off and then you are responsible for the taxes on that other money.

4. Sharing an apt with another traveler does not get you the full deductions on expenses as they are being shared and that leaves you subject to taxes on what was not spent towards the housing by you.

5. Do your research on the agency, the facility, as well as the area. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

These are a few of the prime issues that I am seeing pop in many of the threads that I have been reviewing today. I will be adding to this as the need arises or will make it more helpful for you.

I have also taken over as the new Super Moderator for this forum, as well as the Agency Forum, so feel free to post questions to me as needed. I have years of experience in both of these areas.

Regards,

Suzanne4

[Diary/Dairy, RN]

Best of luck to you, curly girl.

[*need a name*]

A tax home is one that is where they list as having permanent residency, their driver's license is there, they are registered to vote with that address, etc. Banking is done with that address, etc. As long as the legal address is more than 50 miles from the work site and she is not commuting to the home at night, then she should be fine.

Many have homes that are already paid for, so a mortgage is not necessarily a requirement. Always best to check with a tax person.

The issue usually comes up when the nurse has purchased a home in one area and gets a travel job just a few miles away and the agency gives them the stipend for the housing, and states that it is tax free; that is where the bigger problems can occur and still see people believe all that is told to them.

Suzane

You offer some valuable information, but allow me to clarify some items

1) A tax home and a permanent residence are not the same thing. A tax home by its simpliest definition is your primary place of income. When you have no primary place of income (like a traveler with multiple job sites throughout the nation) your tax home can be the place that you maintatin a home and incur significant expenses in doing so. This is the situation for most travelers

2) There is no such thing as a 50 mile rule. the only 50 mile rules that exist involve moving expenses (not what a traveler is doing) and travel expenses of a state legislator (governement service). 50 miles can be an internal screening tool for an agency but any attempt at pinballing that as an IRS rule is encuraging a particular reponse on tax residence forms.

3) Stipends, allowances, per diems, tax free money are all reimbursements for duplicated travel, lodging and meal expenses that you incur while away from your tax home (not your family home). Many confuse these amounts with income which they are not.

4) Per Diem tables are alternate receipt tables. So long as the traveler has an expense, they can receive a per diem for that expense. The magnitude of the expene is irrelevant- the expense must be present. So long as the per diem does not exceed the published rates, the difference is considered receipted.

Hope that helps

Joseph Smith EA/RRT

Enrolled Agent, Admitted to practice before the IRS

[2makemore]

Help! I have a contract the recruiter sent to me today and as I read my contract and your posts Suzanne, this contract feels wrong. I am being offered $9.50 per hour (what!?) and vehicle stipend $3400, housing stipend $6750, per diem $4410. for transportation to and from $1000 for a 13 week contract in Albuquerque and the "expense report" says "I agree to keep all necessary documentation and receipts as required by the IRS and return any excess advances given to me( excess is defined as advances not spent for the purposes above). I think this is going to cost me a lot of money, especially since gas is $4.00/ gallon and my gas cost one way would be 450.00! I have never traveled before and would like to but not with this contract. Can you guide me?:smackingf:

[loricatus]

Help! I have a contract the recruiter sent to me today and as I read my contract and your posts Suzanne, this contract feels wrong. I am being offered $9.50 per hour (what!?) and vehicle stipend $3400, housing stipend $6750, per diem $4410. for transportation to and from $1000 for a 13 week contract in Albuquerque and the "expense report" says "I agree to keep all necessary documentation and receipts as required by the IRS and return any excess advances given to me( excess is defined as advances not spent for the purposes above). I think this is going to cost me a lot of money, especially since gas is $4.00/ gallon and my gas cost one way would be 450.00! I have never traveled before and would like to but not with this contract. Can you guide me?:smackingf:

Find another recruiter/company immediately.

They are trying to take advantage of you because you are new to traveling. Research some of the travel nursing forums and websites, & even pose your questions there. Also, read the post above yours from a traveler tax expert. There is a wealth of information on the internet regarding travel nursing, companies, etc.

First rule of travel nursing-go with your gut. If it doesn't sound right...

[BoiseRN]

Hi! I am also very new to this forum and farily new to nursing (3 yrs experience). I am wanting to start traveling very soon and have been in contact with numerous companies. I have reasearched their websites and talked with recruiters. I have given them my background and told them the exact places I would like to travel to for starters as well as some of my other requirements for working with them (nicely and in an asking, non-demanding manner). It is the actually company and what pay packages are best that is bothering me. I hear a lot about "tax advantage" as well as "all-inclusive"

I posted on the general page and listed the companies I was thinking about. I will list them again and if anyone has any input or additional advice I would really appreciate it so I can make the best judgment and get on assignment!

PPR healthcare

RTG Medical

American Mobile

Nurses in Partnership

Travel Nurse solutions

Access Nurses

On Assignment

[confusedtraveler]

i need help my husband and i are both travelers on assignment he got cancelled for using my user id number i know stupid right he should not have used it but anyway what is he responsible for if anything as far as repaying since they cancelled him. and can i get out of my contract my daughter is back home she is sick and needs me home to help her get back on her feet she just had a baby hgb is 5.4 having problems what can i do please help....

[Howyaluvdat]

Hi,

I've never traveled but I plan to start next month. I was told that if you cancel that depending on the agency, you have to pay for apt. and utilities for 3 months if you cancel and you might even have to pay the agency the monies that they would have made had you completed the contract. I was told the best thing to do if youre unhappy, is to call out every day. They said that way, the hospital wll cancel you and you won't be stuck paying the cost. Hope this ehelps and I'l say a praer for your family.

[adcheek12]

Hi Suzanne, My husband and I are traveling for the first time with our two young girls and our 2 dogs. I have always wanted to travel but I am scared about going to new places and meeting new people. Are the assignments good to you or not. How are the housing with dogs and children. ANy advice for my nerves.

[suzanne4, RN]

There are contracts for you, that is not the problem.

Size of pets can be a problem, so you may need to find your own housing.

You just need to find a company that can meet your requirements, but it can be done.

[suzanne4, RN]

Hi,

I've never traveled but I plan to start next month. I was told that if you cancel that depending on the agency, you have to pay for apt. and utilities for 3 months if you cancel and you might even have to pay the agency the monies that they would have made had you completed the contract. I was told the best thing to do if youre unhappy, is to call out every day. They said that way, the hospital wll cancel you and you won't be stuck paying the cost. Hope this ehelps and I'l say a praer for your family.

Sorry, but if you call off, then you are responsible for the charges from the agecy. Most agencies have non-cancellation clauses and if you asked to be cancelled, then you pay. Also if you call in, you pay.

You really need to rethink what you are even thinking about. It could cost you a very large sum of money as well as the fact that the agency does not have to pay for your return home.

You have to pay for housing and associated expenses like that, but not for the profit or anything else.

Suggest that you do more reading about travel nursing contracts before you start anything.

[suzanne4, RN]

i need help my husband and i are both travelers on assignment he got cancelled for using my user id number i know stupid right he should not have used it but anyway what is he responsible for if anything as far as repaying since they cancelled him. and can i get out of my contract my daughter is back home she is sick and needs me home to help her get back on her feet she just had a baby hgb is 5.4 having problems what can i do please help....

You need to contact your agency. You also need to know that by leaving your contract early, you will be responsible for the remainder of the housing on your contract and they do not need to pay for your travels home.

They cancelled him, and the housing is responsible to him as well, and so is his travel plans to your home. Nothing of it will get paid by the agency. Read the contract that they two of you signed. It is stated right in it what one has to pay the company.

Best of luck to you.

[mkohut_]

There is so much to think about before doing my first travel nursing assignment. This post was really helpful. Thanks so much :)