Working Out of State

[ljp08]

How can I file my taxes if I live in Florida and work as a Hotshot driver for a New York-based company that drives throughout the United States?

-I received a wire transfer from the company.

-I paid for my own food, motel, and truck stop showers.

-The company paid for vehicle maintenance, gas, tools, and equipment, as well as insurance.

-I was driving for around 6 months and was frequently sleeping in the vehicle and sometimes in hotels.

[Vanessa A]

It depends on whether you get a W-2 or a 1099-NEC. 

 If you get a W-2, you will file your return as an employee.  In this situation, none of your expenses will be federally tax deductible.  You will simply walk through the steps to enter your W-2.

If you get a 1099-NEC and are not considered an employee, then your food, motel and shower costs are deductible on your federal return.  You will need to complete a Schedule C, which TurboTax will walk you through once you say you are self-employed.

Since you are working for a NY based company and are being dispatched from that company, NY does consider the income you earn there to be NY sourced income.  This means, that you will need to file a NY Non-Resident return whether you are an employee or independent contractor.  FL does not have state income taxes, so you would only need to file for NY. 

NY does allow for Unreimbursed employee business expenses, so you will be able to deduct those expenses on your NY return whether or not you are an employee or independent contractor.