Tax Season

[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.

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by Drizzle

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.

You can deduct the cost of meals in either of the following situations.

*

It is necessary for you to stop for substantial sleep or rest to properly perform your duties while traveling away from home on business.
*

The meal is business-related entertainment.





Which at the high school level is, basically, never.

Originally Posted by Drizzle

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.

This isn't the only situation listed. There's another one. But if you read the entire publication, it does appear as long as the meal was not extravagent or horribly expensive, and you are away from home long enough that it is impossible to eat a meal at home, it can be a business expense.

An example: an all-day business trip I took on behalf of my employer. It was a 2 1/2 hour drive one way, and I had breakfast before I left, and arrived back well before supper, so the employer reimbursed me for lunch because I was still on the road for lunch time.

I understand the same logic applies to meals when doing officiating. Since we normally leave at 3:30 or 4:00 for a long road trip to do a football game and sometimes don't arrive till midnight, dinner would be a business expense because we are not eating at home.

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?