Housing allowance question

Yes, you would get the housing stipend. Rather than the company putting you in a furnished apartment, you would get the stipend. I got paid every two weeks, and got half of the monthly stipend in each check. My stipend was actually more than what I was paying in rent and utilities each month.

I'm not sure from the phrasing of your question, but are you referring to renting out your home while away from it on assignment? If so, this would eliminate your "tax home", meaning that you could still receive the stipend money, but it would be considered taxable income, as there would be no "duplication of expenses".

to date, I have only traveled where I have relatives that will let me stay with them for the length of my contract. That way I get to keep the housing stipend. I usually give my family some money, and take them out to eat, that kind of thing, but really increases my pay this way.

When someone goes on a travel assignment, do they necessarily HAVE to own or be renting a house in a "home" location? Or, can they take a stipend or accept the housing, and not have any other "home" location?

When someone goes on a travel assignment, do they necessarily HAVE to own or be renting a house in a "home" location? Or, can they take a stipend or accept the housing, and not have any other "home" location?

You can always get the housing or stipend. The difference is that if you do not have a legal "tax home" then you will be taxed on the stipend amount or the amount paid for your housing. For some people this may still be a better deal than paying to maintain a tax home, depends on your personal situation.

what is the requirement for distance to your home base, for being placed by a traveling agency and getting the housing stipend??

There isn't an actual "miles from home" number from the IRS for nurses, just a requirement that it be far enough that the person needs to sleep after working before driving home.

Many agencies use what they call the "50 mile rule" since that IS the figure that the IRS uses for legislators to be able to deduct expenses when away from home.

im confused

if you chose not to get the housing stipend, wouldnt you make more money per hour and then doesnt it all come out to the same in the end?

sandals

You have a choice between a furnished apartment or the housing stipend. Your hourly wage shouldn't change based on your decision.

i understand that whether they are giving me housing or a stipend that my wage would be the same either way. my point is that if they wanted to pay me say 50 dollars per hour, and i needed housing. they would figure out what the housing is costing per hour and deduct that from my hourly wage. so if they are giving me a stipend, i might as well just get more an hour. doesnt it work out to be the same.

ex- if i make 30 dollars an hour plus a stipen or if i make 40 dollars an hour and no stipend

that is what my point is. i think everyone gets caught up in all that housing and stipend stuff that they dont realize either way they are making the same amount

another ex - if my agency wants to pay me 43 dollars an hour, but i want health benefits, i will probably then make 30 dllars an hour and they will say i am getting free beneifits even though im really not

do you understand what i mean? am i wrong in my thinking?

sandals

thanks for your input. i am enjoying the dialogue.

I understand what you are saying about the hourly wage and housing stipend. I look at the stipend different than my hourly wage. When I get a paycheck, I there is a seperate line for the housing stipend, the company does not add the stipend into the hourly wage.

When someone goes on a travel assignment, do they necessarily HAVE to own or be renting a house in a "home" location? Or, can they take a stipend or accept the housing, and not have any other "home" location?

You don't, but if you do not have a "tax home", you will have to pay taxes on the money that company pays for your housing/stipend/utilities etc. It is considered part of income.

Some people own a home, try to use it as a "tax home" and rent it out to others while on assignment, to save on taxes. However, legally if you rent your "tax home" while on assignment, that makes it unavailable to be "your home" and that disqualifies you from using as a "tax home" while rented to another.

You also have to return to your "tax home" periodically, work in that area periodically or at least go off the road back to it for a period of time.

In my case, I share my mother's (on title) home, contribute a significant portion of money to monthly upkeep, receive all mail there, vote and have car titles there, and yearly provide money for improvements/repairs (reroofing, replacing all windows, etc.). While there is no "set" amount, I believe that it has to be several hundred dollars a month. I also work periodic assignments there.

Some people try to scam, by "living" with their parents, but making no significant financial contribution or by renting their "tax home". The IRS can bust you big time if you get caught.

Or they exceed one calender year in one locale - that can automatically revoke having a "tax home" in another state.