Another Bargain ...
 

My round trip mileage last year was 739 miles, or a cost to me (based on your half ride reimbursement) of about $180. Of course I can deduct my mileage, from my taxes, you can't, so let's call it $150.00.

Let's subtract the $30 banquet portion of my dues.

That brings my total financial obligation to $370.00.

For comparison purposes, take away my $35 IAABO dues, so $335 total, or about five subvarsity fees, or about 3.5 varsity fees.

Your total financial obligation of $140.00 or about three subvarsity fees, or about 2.5 varsity fees.

Not as much of a bargain as LRZ, but still a tip of the hat to your treasurer and finance committee.

Ain't math fun?

My round trip mileage was 6521 for 2017.

Why can't I deduct my mileage? Honest question I don't know I have my tax guy handle everything.

Dewey, Cheatem & Howe ...
 

My error, you can probably deduct some of your mileage.

I'm not an accountant, nor do I play one television, but since you're financially reimbursed for half of your mileage, you can probably only deduct half of your mileage, the rest really isn't a business "expense".

My accounting firm, Dewey, Cheatem & Howe does an excellent job.

Right now I'm actually being audited for my 2015 taxes. Good thing that I declared every single penny of my officiating income, especially with about one third of my income coming through Arbiter Pay.

Why do you say i'm only reimbursed for half of my mileage? I am paid 50 cents per mile for all miles I drive. I claim all this money as income bc we are paid one check by the schools.

Pay No Attention To The Man Behind The Curtain ...
 

Because you said "$0.50 per mile round trip paid to one driver".

Figured only you, or your partner, got reimbursed, not both.

If your claiming the mileage reimbursement as income, then you may be able to deduct all of your mileage as a business expense. Some would not claim it as earned income, and then not take a mileage business expense deduction.

Don't listen to me, I'm sure your tax guy does an excellent job.

Gotcha, only one of us is paid for driving most nights bc the farther driver will pick up the closer ones. If that isn't possible usually the school will pay two drivers if they don't the someone eats their miles or gets a kickback from the other driver. I am only claim for the miles that I'm paid for.

Call Top Bunk ...
 

You should be able to fully deduct the miles (as I do) that you're not paid for. Either that, or both you and your tax guy can share a prison cell.

I'm actually going to prison in early January, I joined my church's Prison Ministry. I've discussed it with a few of my referee colleagues who work as corrections officers (don't call them guards, they hate that). Their advice, be fully aware of your surroundings, and don't allow any of the inmates to walk behind you.

Whether one or both drivers are paid is not relevant. If he drives, he can and should deduct the mileage he actually drove. Likewise, whether you drive or not, all money received is income (even if it is designated as reimbursement for travel) and should be included in that income. The deduction for miles driven will take care of the balance.

This. The fact that somebody is paid specifically for the mileage is immaterial to whether it is deductible. There may be other reasons why it is not deductible, but this is not one of them.

Throwing Me A Life Preserver ...
 

You guys sound like you know what your talking about. I got in way over my head and was drowning. Thanks for helping out by throwing me a life preserver.

Next time you're in a hole, stop digging.

Inquiring Minds Want To Know ...
 

Now that I'm retired from my day job, I go from home to a game, and back home. I'm told that I can now deduct every single round trip mile as a business expense.

For those who may go to a game from their day job, is it true that one may not be able to deduct all their game mileage?

Mixed Metaphors ...
 

I didn't realize that the hole (or the water) was that deep until it was too late.

Let me premise: I am not a tax accountant/lawyer/etc. I prepare my own taxes and everything I do in that regard is based on publications coming directly from the IRS.

Careful here. Publication 463 says travel from home to any work location is NEVER deductible, though it also references that you may have an "Office in the home" (rules of which are layed out in publication 587) which could make this mileage deductible.

This mileage between job sites should be deductible (Publication 463), but the travel back home after the game is not.
https://www.irs.gov/publications/p46...blink100033930

Commuting ???
 

My accountant claims that while normal commuting miles traveling back and forth to the same workplace every day are never deductible (the guy who works in a factory), miles traveled to a variety of workplaces by self employed individuals (like basketball officials) are always fully deductible.

If he's wrong, then we're both going to prison.