Question about housing provided

[JMoore_2007]

I'm looking into travel nursing, and I have a specific question regarding some assignments and the housing provided. I know my best bet would be to just ask the travel agency themselves, but I'm not dead set on one in particular yet, and I've seen this on multiple assignments listed. So, I get most travel companies either provide you with housing or offer you the housing stipend for you to find your own. However, from time to time, I come across an assignment that in the description will specifically state something like "housing provided by facility", or I've even seen one that says "company of facility also owns local casino and will provide a suite for housing". So has anyone done an assignment like this, and if so, what does that fall under? Even though it's not provided by the agency themselves, is it considered the agency's housing option and you receive no housing stipend? Or do you still get a housing stipend and have free housing provided directly from the facility you will be working?

[NedRN]

No double dipping. The IRS is not to be trifled with.

Facilities that provide housing also have a lower bill rate. So the agency does not have money to provide that part of the compensation package.

[JMoore_2007]

Ah I see, thanks. It sounded too good to be true getting both. I wasn't sure though being new to this. I thought, well it might be rare but maybe still. Seeing as it's totally okay to take a housing stipend and stay with family/friends local to the assignment for free. Makes sense though. If a facility provides housing, it's a cost to them and the pay package would likely be smaller to balance that out.

[NedRN]

Not quite "totally OK". To get a tax free housing, you must be incurring housing costs both at home and at the assignment and be able to prove it (receipts). TravelTax goes somewhat farther in saying you must pay a fair market price for assignment housing. I don't think that is the necessary standard myself as there seems little issue with seeking and finding a bargain. However, I won't be present at your audit.

You do not have to spend all your stipend on housing, you just have to document the housing expenses you actually have. These amounts do not go on your tax return, but will be an issue if you are audited for any reason.