What all can Over the road drivers claim on taxes?

Answer 1

I'd like to be able to answer this for you, but it is impossible. It is entirely situational and depends on many, many factors...like if your an employee or not (W-2 or 1099). What your employer provides and if you get reimbursed at all (and how) for it...many industries have fairly common guidelines that make certain things deductible, where others have others. The big thing is, if your an owner operator or working for the Co as a driver. If your an owner...there are many many things that come into play, as your actually running your own business and all the expenses of that are normally deductible against any income the biz makes. Then there are accounting things, like depreciation of the truck, and other equipment - just a zillion. It really is worthwhile to have someone familar with the field do them with you...and maybe provide some accounting services as some planning can well pay for itself. Frankly, most "standard" employees, just going in and doing a job and getting paid don't have any unreimbursed work expenses that would qualify. The most common would be clothing, like a uniform, that is required and cannot be worn otherwise (a suit wouldn't qualify, nor would jeans...even if only used at work). I can see where even if you are an employee, you could well have certain lodging expenses, incurred that aren't on the Co...maybe some other things - (hire any day labor to load or unload...provide gifts to dock managers, etc.) Sorry...tens of thousands of pages of tax laws and a fair number will involve, or could involve, what your asking!