Constrution worker and mileage expense

[tonia2021]

Is a construction worker, that lives away from his family from June - November, able to deduct mileage expense? The taxpayer lived about 175 miles away from his family during this time for work.

[taxea]

Is this a temporary assignment by his employer or his own option? He cannot take mileage from his temp residence to the job site and back, that is commuting. taxea

[Gretel]

If this is a temp assignment then he can take mileage for the first trip and the last trip plus out of town expenses. Look at the qualifications. Home trips in between are limited to the lower of mileage or what it would have cost to stay on job site.

[JG EA]

Agree with Gretel. If a true temporary assignment then he like on a business trip.He can take lodging, meals, transportaion and other duplicating of expenses. He can take commuting from the temporary place he is staying to the temporary job site and back again to the temporary lodging.

[taxea]

It all still is based on whether his employer sent him there or he opted on his own to work there determines what expenses he can take. Either way the mileage to and from his temp residence is not deductible..it is a commute. The travel from his original home and the mileage back there after the job is over is deductible. My recollections is that meals are not deductible either because he would have to eat if he was at home. taxea

[Black Bart]

Status?

Is a construction worker, that lives away from his family from June - November, able to deduct mileage expense? The taxpayer lived about 175 miles away from his family during this time for work.

Is he self-employed or working for someone else?

[taxea]

That's what I keep asking taxea

[newbie]

It all still is based on whether his employer sent him there or he opted on his own to work there determines what expenses he can take. Either way the mileage to and from his temp residence is not deductible..it is a commute. The travel from his original home and the mileage back there after the job is over is deductible. My recollections is that meals are not deductible either because he would have to eat if he was at home. taxea

I respectfully disagree. If it is a temporary assignment he can deduct his mileage involved at his temporary location and deduct meals if the temporary assignment is at a location that requires him to be away from home overnight.

[AJsTax]

It does not matter

wether he is self-emplyed or an employee does not make any difference if the work location meets all the rules for a temporary work location. Self employed can take all the travel expenses for a temporary work location.

[Gretel]

I was wondering about that. My understanding is that the job needs to be expected to last under a year to qualify no matter what the other circumstances.

[Jesse]

Agree with Gretel. If a true temporary assignment then he like on a business trip.He can take lodging, meals, transportaion and other duplicating of expenses. He can take commuting from the temporary place he is staying to the temporary job site and back again to the temporary lodging.

wether he is self-emplyed or an employee does not make any difference if the work location meets all the rules for a temporary work location. Self employed can take all the travel expenses for a temporary work location.

I was wondering about that. My understanding is that the job needs to be expected to last under a year to qualify no matter what the other circumstances.

I believe all of these statements to be correct. The deciding factor is whether this is a temporary assignment away from his tax home - or not.

[Davc]

Agree with Jesse.