to Stipend, or not to Stipend?

[arvolina]

After talking things over here at home with my spouse and dogs that will stay behind, I need veteran opinions on stipends. I'm hoping to stay in Texas - work 3 days - come home - go back.... any thoughts on the feasibility of this would be helpful. Any opinions on the better agency for Texas travel would be fantastic. Any suggestions on the best way to balance life, travel, income would be great!!!!

I'm med/surg tele, and thinking about heading out @ the first of the year.

[NedRN]

You don't generally have an option on stipends other than how they are taxed. Your best option is to rent by the month, then your housing stipend will not be taxed. Your per diems will be non taxed for the days you actually are away from home. in other words, you will be receiving 7 days a week tax free per diem from the agency, and you will have to declare 4/7 of those per diems as taxable income on your tax return. Visit TravelTax for more information about how to handle that situation. There is something about getting half a day's per diem on travel days so you may only have to report 3/7 of your weekly per diem as taxable income.