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    Mileage Log

    Taxpayer brought in a single sheet listing the months and business miles for the year.

    Would this be an acceptable record?

    Thanks

    Brian
    Everybody should pay his income tax with a smile. I tried it, but they wanted cash

    #2
    that's not a mileage log.

    Comment


      #3
      You can....

      Originally posted by Brian EA View Post
      Taxpayer brought in a single sheet listing the months and business miles for the year.

      Would this be an acceptable record?

      Thanks

      Brian
      reference TTB 10-3 (excerpt below):

      Automobiles. Taxpayers using either the standard mileage rate method or the actual expense method must keep a record of total miles driven throughout the year as well as the business purpose and number of miles driven for business. One method is to use beginning and ending odometer readings.

      Mileage logs. The mere existence of a mileage log is not sufficient if the entries are too generalized or not supported by other corroborating evidence.

      Standard mileage rate method. In addition to the mileage records, taxpayers should keep substantiation for other deductible expenses such as auto loan interest, personal property taxes, parking fees, and tolls. See Costs not included in the standard mileage rate, page 10-4.

      Actual expense method. In addition to mileage records, which will include the business purpose and destination, taxpayers should keep records showing the cost of the car and any improvements along with the date business use began. Substantiate expenses by keeping an exact record of the amount paid for gasoline, repairs, insurance, etc. as well as the date of the expense.
      Always cite your source for support to defend your opinion

      Comment


        #4
        I suppose is depends on what you mean by "acceptable". I would accept it for tax preparation, but I would tell the taxpayer it would not be acceptable in an audit.

        See Table 5-1 and 5-2 in Publication 463 for what should be done.

        Comment


          #5
          I would not accept it as a log unless it included columns for date, location, purpose and total miles.
          Believe nothing you have not personally researched and verified.

          Comment


            #6
            Acceptable record for what?

            Originally posted by Brian EA View Post
            Taxpayer brought in a single sheet listing the months and business miles for the year.

            Would this be an acceptable record?

            Thanks

            Brian
            Well, references to TTB and IRS Publication 463 are correct of course, but not "substantial authority" as we all know.

            Along the line of "not substantial authority" is the following provision of IRS publication 463, p 26 (current version):

            "Sampling. You can keep an adequate record
            for parts of a tax year and use that record to
            prove the amount of business or investment use
            for the entire year. You must demonstrate by
            other evidence that the periods for which an adequate
            record is kept are representative of the
            use throughout the tax year."

            In spite of the character of this "authority" source, my office has utilized this method several times with "high success" on IRS examinations.

            Of course, we also ask to see the odometer to see if it matches with prior claimed mileage. But then again, we take some with these issues.
            Friends double; family triple. Don't buy an audit for yourself. If someone has to go to jail make sure it is the client. Remember it is only taxes, nothing important.

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by TaxGuyBill View Post
              I suppose is depends on what you mean by "acceptable". I would accept it for tax preparation, but I would tell the taxpayer it would not be acceptable in an audit.

              See Table 5-1 and 5-2 in Publication 463 for what should be done.

              https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p463.pdf#page=26
              Does this meet due diligence on your part?
              Believe nothing you have not personally researched and verified.

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by taxea View Post
                Does this meet due diligence on your part?
                A related question is, what do you check for the questions about "is their a log" and "is it written"? (for example Schedule C lines 47 a and b). Once or twice, I have filed returns honestly answering "no" to the "is it written" part. Some say that alone means I cannot sign the return claiming the deduction without perjuring myself; I don't agree, and in reality, the return was accepted and no letter from the IRS about the matter.

                I don't think we have a due diligence requirement to examine the logs ourselves, simply to explain the rules to the taxpayer, and have a good faith reliance on the total number they give us if it does not seem unreasonable. In other words, if they claim 20K miles for business, then I'm probably going to ask for more evidence, and not claim the deduction unless it looks up to standards.
                "You said it, they'll never know the difference. Come on, we'll paint our way out!" - Moe Howard

                Comment


                  #9
                  Is the....

                  Originally posted by Rapid Robert View Post
                  A related question is, what do you check for the questions about "is their a log" and "is it written"? (for example Schedule C lines 47 a and b). Once or twice, I have filed returns honestly answering "no" to the "is it written" part. Some say that alone means I cannot sign the return claiming the deduction without perjuring myself; I don't agree, and in reality, the return was accepted and no letter from the IRS about the matter.

                  I don't think we have a due diligence requirement to examine the logs ourselves, simply to explain the rules to the taxpayer, and have a good faith reliance on the total number they give us if it does not seem unreasonable. In other words, if they claim 20K miles for business, then I'm probably going to ask for more evidence, and not claim the deduction unless it looks up to standards.
                  question directed to you?

                  Reasonable and judgement decisions seem to play here for tax preparation. As long as you advise the client the records "they" need to substantiate in case of an IRS audit, think you are meeting your due diligence, otherwise will you ask for all receipts for sales, etc. to substantiate ?
                  Always cite your source for support to defend your opinion

                  Comment


                    #10
                    I do not think that I will be preparing this return. It does not look good to me.

                    Thanks all

                    Brian
                    Everybody should pay his income tax with a smile. I tried it, but they wanted cash

                    Comment

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