tax prep 2008

[orama43]

Any ideas on how I can find a tax preparer that knows the ins and outs of the trucking industry? I'm not an O/O, I drive for a company.
Serious replies only please.
Thanks :shock:

[Double R]

Any ideas on how I can find a tax preparer that knows the ins and outs of the trucking industry? I'm not an O/O, I drive for a company.
Serious replies only please.
Thanks :shock:

I use H&R Block every year and have never had a problem. They are pretty good at knowing what you can and cannot write off in this industry. I am a company driver also.

[Sealord]

H&R Block does mine, they knew about way more deductions than I expected. Make sure you go thru each monthly log book and count the days you were gone from home and annotate a corner of the logbook cover with the number. Makes it easier to calculate the per diem or per diem difference you're entitled to. They'll also run the numbers to see if you do better taking the standard deduction or itemizing. BOL

[orama43]

Well that 2 for H&R! Looks like I'll be checking into them.
Thanks

[Uturn2001]

As far as company drivers go most any certified tax preparer should be able to do a respectable job for you. There really is not anything special a company driver could deduct that would not be valid for many other jobs. It is when you are an O/O that things tend to become more complicated.

[choperbob]

i've used h&r block myself, just make sure preparer knows to give you the tax credit as a truck drive

[nickbtubas]

HR are very proud of their work and i believe you pay too much for their service if you go to their in house tax prep. IMHO. if you don't have a lot of tax write-offs than use the software, its pretty good for simple returns.

[Skywalker]

I've used their software for a long time...never had a problem. As long as you understand what you can deduct, and kept your logs for the past year and are willing to store them for a few years you can take the flat-rate deduction for meals for your time away from home and make sure you check the block when it asks if you are subject to HOS....it makes a big difference in how much you get on the flat-rate perdiem allowance the IRS allows you to take.

On the other hand...if you are essentially uneducated regarding how to do a 1040 long form...it may be in your best interest to have someone do your taxes. Just make sure they understand that you are subject to HOS and you are entitled to deduct many things the average person cannot.