topic Re: Transport Driver Standard Meal Allowance in Deductions & credits

Transport Driver Standard Meal Allowance

WL47 — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 04:44:16 GMT

For 1099 transport driver using the standard meal allowance (2018 taxes specifically) , publication 463 says I dont need to keep actual meal receipts but still need to keep record of time, place and business purpose. Can the driver log be that record? I dont need actual receipts since I'm not using actual cost method so trying to figure out what records to submit for tax audit regarding the meals.

Re: Transport Driver Standard Meal Allowance

AmeliesUncle — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 05:30:03 GMT

Are you traveling out of town (away from your "Tax Home") overnight?

If so, you need to have evidence of where you were each day. So yes, your driver log may be acceptable (especially if it is an "official" log required by DOT rules).

You also may need to establish where your "Tax Home" is.

If you are not traveling out-of-town overnight, then your meals probably are not deductible, unless you are eating at a meeting with clients/customers for a business purposes.

Re: Transport Driver Standard Meal Allowance

WL47 — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 13:36:06 GMT

Yes, travel is overnight for one to several nights and away from tax home. DOT travel rules apply to me. Drive from my house to the yard to pick up travel trailers and then drive them to the dealer for drop off and back home again. Thanks.