Tax season, What can I right off??

Twinmom06, ASN, APN · Feb 3, 2013

think you need to get a good CPA to do your taxes!

MrChicagoRN, RN · Feb 3, 2013

You can deduct either the standard IRS approved per mile rate, OR itemize actual costs. Lunches? No, because you need to eat whether working or not. Uniforms are deductible if they are clothing one wouldn't wear while not working. The IRS has instructions on its website that very specifically describes the do's & dont's, as well as the threshold for deductions. You can pay for someone to do it, or use one of the tax software packages, HR BLOCK or TURBOTAX, which will walk you through it all

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Feb 3, 2013

If you have a separate cell phone for work which is only used for work, you can probably write (not right) that off. If it's your cell phone for every day use, no, because it's used for personal things as well.

If you're claiming the additional 30 cents/mile on your mileage, you can't write off gas in addition to that. That's what mileage reimbursement is... reimbursement for your gas and wear/tear to your car.

You can't write off lunch and I'm struggling to figure out why you'd think you could.

blueberry POP tart:) · Feb 3, 2013

think you need to get a good CPA to do your taxes!

I agree!! You make enough to pay a good CPA, have a chat with them and tell them you think itemizing might be a good option for you. Have all your papers in order and with you, they can ask you a few questions and tell you if it is beneficial for you or not! And next year, you deduct the fee for the CPA?

Hope you've been saving receipts too!

sorpy69 · Jul 21, 2017

Reason why I would also ask whether or not meals can be deducted is as follows: travel in vehicle all day from client to client l, unable to reheat food while in car, unable to keep cool for hours.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Jul 21, 2017

Reason why I would also ask whether or not meals can be deducted is as follows: travel in vehicle all day from client to client l, unable to reheat food while in car, unable to keep cool for hours.

Thermos keeps hot for up to 6hrs, cold up to 12. You can use a cooler with ice packs. And if you didn't feel like cooking you would buy lunch No law states you are e titled to hot or cold or nutritious lunch. Over 18 you aren't even entitled to a lunch break.

smb5575 · Nov 10, 2017

If you have a separate cell phone for work which is only used for work, you can probably write (not right) that off. If it's your cell phone for every day use, no, because it's used for personal things as well.
If you're claiming the additional 30 cents/mile on your mileage, you can't write off gas in addition to that. That's what mileage reimbursement is... reimbursement for your gas and wear/tear to your car.
You can't write off lunch and I'm struggling to figure out why you'd think you could.

Well, don't you sound like a peach. Actually you CAN (not can't) write off a cell phone used for both personal and business expenses. However, you can only deduct the portion that is used for business..not the entire amount.

Also, not all employers pay in mileage what the actual wear and tear to your car is. It depends on whatever standard the IRS currently has in place for the year you are filing for. For example, the standard mileage rate for 2017 is 53.5 cents/mile. So you can write off the portion that the company does not pay. It's just a pain to do so.

As far as meal expenses go. If a nurse is traveling a good distance away from home, I am not certain what the IRS standard on this distance is, then you can claim meal expenses. But day to day, close to home, the answer would be no.

I am struggling to understand why you answered so rudely when you were obviously not as knowledgeable as you thought. The whole reason for forums like this exist, is so that others can ask questions they do not know the answers to. Not to be talked down to for not knowing the answers.

Proverbs 16:3 · Nov 13, 2017

Do you invoice, have a dedicated area or room in your house you use regularly for this such as reconciling records, planning, etc? you can deduct office in home. As to mileage, the person above me is right, it's 53.5 so deduct your reimbursement. You can deduct your licenses, union dues, professional magazine subscriptions as well. Are you an employee or self employed? If an employee, these will go on form 2106 and be subject to the 2% limitation. If you're self employed, then it goes on schedule C.

Forgot, you can deduct mileage or actual expenses. Did you keep mileage records or do you use your car solely for this? If you're doing actual expenses, then it's the percentage use that you deduct. It's best to do both and go with the highest. If you got a new car and you're told to deduct sec 179, know that if you do, you can't take mileage on that car in subsequent years. You can however revoke sec 179.