Why Do They Call It "Per Diem"

[farder]

And then pay it PER MILE?

Lying bastards, all of them.

[Malaki86]

Umm - no - Per Diem stands for Per Day

[farder]

Umm - no - Per Diem stands for Per Day

Exactly my point. BUT your company pays it per mile, not per day. It's a total screw job.

[Malaki86]

The federal government set up the per diem, which allows $52 PER DAY to be deducted for living expenses on the road. The company didn't set this up. Also, most companies don't require you to take it.

You should be complaining about the IRS, not the companies.

[farder]

The companies say they pay you "per diem" which they don't. They pay you a "per mile". Say it's 10 cents per mile "per diem" and you run 200 miles that day. You get $20 whereas the govt would allow you $52. It's a screwjob.

[Kurbski]

The federal government set up the per diem, which allows $52 PER DAY to be deducted for living expenses on the road. The company didn't set this up. Also, most companies don't require you to take it.

You should be complaining about the IRS, not the companies.

Good point Mal. Maybe this is cfm's clone or something.

[Phantom433a]

The companies say they pay you "per diem" which they don't. They pay you a "per mile". Say it's 10 cents per mile "per diem" and you run 200 miles that day. You get $20 whereas the govt would allow you $52. It's a screwjob.

You can still claim the other $32 per day on your taxes.....how are you getting screwed?

[TK THE TRUCKER]

At the end of the year you figure out how many days you were out times the IRS per diem and subtract from that what your company paid you and claim the difference on your tax return. At least that's how I got it figured. 8) 8)

[headborg]

The companies say they pay you "per diem" which they don't. They pay you a "per mile". Say it's 10 cents per mile "per diem" and you run 200 miles that day. You get $20 whereas the govt would allow you $52. It's a screwjob.

I'd say if you're only running 200 miles per day-- that's the real screwjob

At least they give you plenty of time to read & make phone calls:

Changing Lanes
Trucker Connection
RPM

[Malaki86]

LOL - nice point there!!!

[finger_lakes]

I think it means "For Suckers" in Latin

[countryhorseman]

Personally I have never excepted a company per diem plan! Over the last few years, several companies have gotten in big trouble with the IRS for calculating it by the mile! Link to the ruling: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rr-06-56.pdf

When the driver goes to do their taxes, and find the company actually paid too much, the IRS disallows both types of calculation, and the driver is screwed with more taxes!

The rate for individuals that follow under Hours of Service Regulation, year 2007 was $52.00/day and the driver may claim 75% for days out overnight under the IRS rules.

Quoted from the IRS website, publication 529:http://www.irs.gov/publications/p529/ar02.html#d0e1703

"Meals when subject to “hours of service” limits. You can deduct 75% of your business-related meal expenses if you consume the meals during or incident to any period subject to the Department of Transportation's “hours of service” limits. You apply this 75% limit before you apply the 2%-of-adjusted-gross-income limit.

[TomB985]

Don't feed the trolls!!!!! :twisted: