Are there any tax consultants that are well known online that specialize specifically in travel nursing? I am looking to go to someone who knows every little IRS rule with travel nurses, including questions involving your GSA.gov max allowed amount for per diem. For example, in the city I work in now, GSA.gov says $89 per day for lodging and $51 per day for meals and incidentals. So I add these two together = $140 per day x 7 days per week = $980 per week maximum. Why do we very rarely see the maximum amount given out by larger agencies, and if I meet all tax home requirements, do I not automatically qualify for this $980 per week or no?
If anyone knows these answers FOR SURE or has a known travel nurse tax consultant, feel free to respond. I definitely expect multiple different answers on these rules since I always get multiple answers when I ask about the untaxable per diem.
Yea I get what you're saying from a standpoint of the agency may not be able to offer the full amount and still make a profit.. I'm just curious if I do take the full amount if I need any extra documentation such as receipts for hotel, rent, etc.
I just want to know what is sufficient proof that I need the untaxable money in the case of an audit. Let's say I get $980 per week (max in the area) but truly only spend $500 a week in housing. I'm assuming you can't take the full amount if you aren't using it, correct?
If you are audited for some other reason and you give the IRS your contract, proving that you incurred expenses at the work location may be required. This is always an issue for truck drivers for example - if you sleep in your car or truck, or freeload at relatives (or commute from home) you have no expenses and a tax free housing stipend cannot be justified. So keep rent receipts or lease. They do not have to add up to the amount of the stipend.
Proving that you are working away from a legitimate tax home is far more important in an audit though.
So a rent receipt for $1000 rent per month but I'm receiving $2000-2500 for housing isn't a huge deal, just as long as I have the receipt?
and Ned since I haven't heard from you, I'm going to ask here.. Kind of random but when starting my own agency, do I have to buy workers comp for every single state I work in or does buying it in the state of my business cover me? Because insurance agents are acting as if I will need a new policy in each state I work.
That question is better asked in a business forum such as entrepreneurs in nursing, independent nurses, or a workers comp site. If it is just for yourself, you are probably covered. Ask your agent. In most states, you are not required to carry workers comp just for yourself though. If for employees, I don't know the answer.
ryanstum15
51 Posts
Yea I get what you're saying from a standpoint of the agency may not be able to offer the full amount and still make a profit.. I'm just curious if I do take the full amount if I need any extra documentation such as receipts for hotel, rent, etc.
I just want to know what is sufficient proof that I need the untaxable money in the case of an audit. Let's say I get $980 per week (max in the area) but truly only spend $500 a week in housing. I'm assuming you can't take the full amount if you aren't using it, correct?