W2 says $50K. Really made $40K + $10K reimburse for miles. Should the $10K have been reported as Income? My gas/repair/insurance cost is $12K. How to capture?

[christrombley]

W2 Says $50K.  Really only made $40K.     Why were reimbursements for my business miles paid counted as income?   Even if I broke even. - cost $10K and reimbursed $10K - I am not paying social security taxes, state and federal income tax on the $10K.

How do I deduct the $12K I really spent (gas/insurance/repairs) so that it offsets the $10K and reduces state/fed/fica?

Thank you.

[Hal_Al · Accepted solution]

Starting in tax year 2018, you can no longer deduct employee expenses, including mileage and/or automobile expenses.

Even in previous years, the deduction was limited to being an itemized deduction, subject to the 2% of AGI threshold.

Should the $10K have been reported as Income?  It depends on how your employer handles it. If he pays you a set amount (for example $500 per month) without making you account for how you spend it, then yes he is supposed to include it as taxable income on your W-2, in box 1.

If, on the other hand, he has an "accountable plan", wherein he only reimburses you for your actual expenses, then he does not include it on your W-2. 

[TaxGuyBill]

If your employer is not reimbursing you under an "Accountable Plan", you need to talk to your employer to change things.  Doing it under an "Accountable Plan" will save BOTH you AND your employer taxes.