Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie777
Can he claim all this even if they don't itemize and only use 1040A? Can he deduct the full monthly billing cost of the phone, or only a portion?
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With taxes you either itemize or you take the standard deduction. You can not do both.
Unless he has more than $5350 if filing single or $10,700 filing jointly with a spouse or $7850 as head of household in itemized deductions he will be better off taking the standard one.
As far a claiming the cell phone goes he can deduct the percentage it is used in business. So if he uses it 50% for business calls and 50% for personal issues then he can claim 50%. Same goes with the house phone. (just a note here. If he is a company driver or an owner/operator leased to a company he is going to have a very hard time justifying the home phone deduction in the event of an audit). Once again this is if you itemize.
The figures on the meal allowance was correct. That is 75% of $52 per 24 hours away from home for the standard meal allowance deduction. To claim the standard deduction and to prove it he really should have his log books for the entire year. Otherwise he will need some other form of proof or have saved his meal receipts and take the actual cost.