mileage question

[mblatour]

I have a client who lives in Duluth, MN and travels to the twin cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul) to work as an RN. She used to work solely in Duluth but now has a new employer in the "cities". She will sometimes drive each day (160 miles each way) and other days will stay down there for a couple of days and then drive back home.

I always have trouble determining tax home in these types of situations. Any thoughts? I can get more information soon, but this is all I have to go on right now as her cell phone cut out and she will call me back later.

[Burke]

Mileage Question

It's non-deductible commuting expense.

[mblatour]

that's my opinion too but....

I always feel for people who travel such large distances for work. I spoke to her a bit ago and the company she works for is based in the cities and she chooses to travel the large distance to work there. People like this always can't believe that they aren't able to deduct the mileage. I've had people just say they'll go to someone who will..... and off they go.

What about medical mileage? She receives her medical care for her and her kids down there but lives in Duluth. Sometimes the trips are separate from trips down to work. I would think that the medical mileage is allowed for the trips that are separate from the commuting job mileage trips. Thoughts?

[Kram BergGold]

Medical miles

Trips for medical reasons are deductible. However, If she goes to work then the doctor then home I would think only work to doctor and doctor to home are deductible.
As for work, the assumption is her job is a permanent position not temporary, correct?

[mblatour]

that's correct.....

the assumption [B]is[B] that her job is a permanent position. I agree with you on the medical miles. Say for instance she travels down to the cities, goes to work, then goes to the doctor, then back home. I would think she'd be able to deduct the miles from work to the doc, and also the miles back home again. Does that seem correct?

She also has kids and would sometimes drive them down with her to the cities and go to her relative's house to stay. She'd leave the kids there and go and work the nightshift and then go back to her relative's house. Then during the daytime she'd go to the doc with the kids. Then maybe drive back home because she doesn't have a shift for 2 days.

What if she drives down to the cities during the daytime and goes straight to the doctor with the kids. Then she drives them to the relatives and then off to work. In the morning she goes back home to Duluth with the kids. I'd think she could deduct the miles going from Duluth to the cities as Medical Miles, but then what about the drive home in the morning after she gets off of work?

I just would like to have a clear understanding of all possible scenario's. Thanks!!