Tax Season

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Ref Ump Welsch

What else besides mileage...I racked up plenty. Uniform purchase, dues/registration fees, laundry allowances...that was what I had in 2008...what am I missing?

Mileage is always my biggest write-off. My 2nd biggest this past year was the camp I attended in Orlando: camp fee, plane ticket, motel, rental car.

[IREFU2]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

Mileage is always my biggest write-off. My 2nd biggest this past year was the camp I attended in Orlando: camp fee, plane ticket, motel, rental car.

Same here with me as well, camp and clinics as well as supplies (Whistles, Uniforms, shoes). I have not tried to deduct my cell phone bill yet.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by IREFU2

... I have not tried to deduct my cell phone bill yet.

I've done that. A percentage of my bill in the months I actually officiate. As well as my internet bill (COX cable).

[IREFU2]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

I've done that. A percentage of my bill in the months I actually officiate. As well as my internet bill (COX cable).

Call me at work.

[jdmara]

I just can't see including meals between work and the game. I don't think the code allows that but maybe I'm mistaken.

I always think it's a successful year if I end up in positive territory.

-Josh

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by jdmara

I just can't see including meals between work and the game. I don't think the code allows that but maybe I'm mistaken.

I always think it's a successful year if I end up in positive territory.

-Josh

Why wouldn't the code allow such meals? They're allowed for business travel out of town (within limits).

[Drizzle]

Originally Posted by mbyron

Why wouldn't the code allow such meals? They're allowed for business travel out of town (within limits).

Publication 463 (2008), Travel, Entertainment, Gift, and Car Expenses

From what I can understand, unless you're traveling so far where you need a place to sleep, you cannot deduct meals. I'm not a tax professional, though.

Originally Posted by jdmara

I just can't see including meals between work and the game. I don't think the code allows that but maybe I'm mistaken.

I always think it's a successful year if I end up in positive territory.

-Josh

Josh,

I do this a lot, especially during football and basketball season. I'll grab something for the ride to the game or the ride home after the game (depending on what little town I'm headed to in Nebraska or Iowa), and keep the receipt.

[jdmara]

Originally Posted by mbyron

Why wouldn't the code allow such meals? They're allowed for business travel out of town (within limits).

Originally Posted by Ref Ump Welsch

Josh,

I do this a lot, especially during football and basketball season. I'll grab something for the ride to the game or the ride home after the game (depending on what little town I'm headed to in Nebraska or Iowa), and keep the receipt.

I'm all for it because, as you gentleman know, it's a practice I believe most of us do rushing from work to games. I've never been able to justify it to my satisfaction but I'm definitely a tax novice at best. I will definitely start keeping my receipts from this point forward.

-Josh

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

I've done that. A percentage of my bill in the months I actually officiate. As well as my internet bill (COX cable).

I do that as well...still...what else am I missing?