Alabama DOT meals expense

[foxal]

It's my understanding that Alabama still allows the DOT meal expense deduction in 2020.  When I enter the information pertaining to DOT meals, the amount does not transfer to the Alabama return.  If the State of Alabama does not allow this deduction, please let me know.  Otherwise, how do I enter the DOT meals expense information so that it will be correct on the Alabama tax return?  

[DanielV01 · Accepted solution]

You must enter them in the Federal Tax return section.  If you are a trucker (or transportation) employee (pay reported on Form W-2), then you must use Form 2106  (Unreimbursed Job Expenses) to report the deduction.  This will not calculate on the Federal Tax return, because Unreimbursed Job Expenses are suspended as a deduction because of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2018.  However, this form/section of the program is still used to claim qualified unreimbursed employee expenses for states that allow them.  To access this section of the program:

1. Log on to your Account, and click "Take Me to My Return".
2. Click on the Search Box (with the Magnifying Glass)
3. Type 2106 in the box and then Jump to 2106.

Once you are in that section, you are looking for the "Meals/Entertainment" deduction.  You will answer "yes" to the question if you are subject to DOT laws, and then the total of the deduction you are claiming.  Do not reduce it.  The deduction should then import into the Alabama return.

Alabama is still accepting this deduction (provided you have enough deductions to itemize on your tax return).

[foxal]

Thank you for your reply!  I'm assuming the instructions are for TurboTax Online.  I'm using the TurboTax Home and Business program that I downloaded to my desktop computer.  I have everything entered correctly, however it is not importing the calculation to the Alabama tax return.  I'm not sure how to report this issue with the program.  I am able to manually enter the numbers into Form 2106 so that it transfers to the Alabama return correctly at this time.         

[ErnieS0 · Accepted solution]

Yes. TurboTax Home & Business CD\Download will move DOT meals to Alabama Schedule A after clearing some errors in Error Check.

TurboTax will prompt you to fill out total Meals expense on line 5 of Form 2106 and line B Other meals and entertainment expenses on the Department of Transportation (DOT) Employees Smart Worksheet. Once those amounts are entered, meals will go to AL.

[Scoobydeux]

That was the working solution. Thanks!