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10 Oddball Tax Deductions

11 Most Overlooked Tax Deductions

Updated for 2012

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Claiming the IRS Meal Allowance

You must prorate the allowance for the FIRST and LAST day of the trip:

Self-employed:

 If you're self-employed, you may claim 50% of your meals allowance on Schedule C.

Employees:

If you're an employee, use Form 2106, Employee Business Expenses (or 2106-EZ to report your meal allowance along with your other business-related expenses and reimbursements. Only 50% of the meal allowance is deductible.

The 50% meal allowance is deducted on Schedule A as a miscellaneous itemized deduction. It's added to any other miscellaneous deductions you may have and is subject to the 2% of adjusted gross income (AGI) floor.

For example, if your AGI is $50,000, 2% x $50,000 is $1,000. If your total miscellaneous deductions are $1,100, only $100 is deductible.

Transportation Industry Workers

For 2012, 80% of meal costs are deductible for the following individuals subject to the Department of Transportation hours of service limits:

Your lodging expense is your actual cost. There is a per diem allowance for employers to use to reimburse employees.

IRS Publcation 1542 (CONUS M&IE Rates)

The CONUS M&IE rates are published in IRS Publication 1542. CONUS stands for:continental united states. M&IE stands for meals and incidental expenses.

This publication shows the CONUS M&IE rates in effect for the twelve months October 1 through September 30 (the federal goverment's fiscal year). For example, the 2012 fiscal year runs October 1, 2011 through September 30, 2012. Fiscal year 2013 will run, October 1, 2012 through September 1, 2013.

If you'd prefer not to deal with keeping records of your meal costs while away from home on business trips, you can claim an IRS meal allowance via Publication 1542. You must have proof of your business trip. Keep a record of the time, place, and business purposes of the trip. As long as you have this proof, you may claim the allowance even if your actual costs are less than the allowance.

For tavel to CONUS locations, the standard meal allowance (M&IE) is $46 for 2012. However, higher rates apply in major cities and other high-cost locations designated by the governmnet. The basic and high-cost-area meal rats are determined by the federal government's General Services Administration (GSA). The IRS allows taxpayers to use the applicable rates in figuring their meal allowane deduction.

Incidental expenses (M&IE) include a limited number of incidentals, such as fees and tips for porters, baggage carriers, hotel maids, or room stewards.

In computing your meal allowance (M&IE) for 2012 business trips, you can apply the rates in effect for the fist nine months of the year to business trips in the last three months. You can use the first set of rates for the first nine months and the updated rates for the last three months.

Trips in the last three months:

For trips you took in the last three months of the calendar year (October, November, December), you have two options for applying the rates. Keep in mind, you must constitently use one of these options; you may not switch between options.

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Travel Expenses: Travel By Cruise Ship

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