I am an owner operator OTR truck driver. I actively worked 269 days in 2018. I live in my truck but keep a permanent address in Oregon. How do I deduct meal expenses?

jpamayer · ‎June 3, 2019

I keep reading conflicting information about meal expenses in 2018.

I am an owner operator semi truck driver who works over the road, lives in the truck, has a permanent address in Oregon. I worked about 269 days last year with the rest of the days either spent not working but living in the truck or in a hotel.

Do I qualify for DOT meal expense deductions?

If yes, how do I calculate that?

KittyM · ‎June 3, 2019

Unfortunately, the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act of 2017 repealed almost all of the former Miscellaneous Itemized Deductions. Therefore, the Form 2106 Employee Job Expense form applies only in very limited circumstances and not for OTR truckers.

I am an owner operator OTR truck driver. I actively worked 269 days in 2018. I live in my truck but keep a permanent address in Oregon. How do I deduct meal expenses?

Deductions & credits