What The Per Diem Calculation Looks Like On A Truck Driver Tax Return?
What The Per Diem Calculation Looks Like On A Truck Driver Tax Return? Per diem is one of those deductions truck drivers hear about constantly but rarely understand in detail. It sounds simple on the surface, a daily rate for meals and expenses while you’re on the road, but the actual calculation has rules most drivers never bother learning until they’re sitting across from someone doing their taxes wondering why the number looks different than they expected. Here’s how per diem actually works on a return. Per Diem Covers Meals And Incidentals, Not Everything A lot of drivers assume per diem is some broad catch-all for anything spent on the road, but it’s specifically meant for meals and incidental expenses. It doesn’t cover lodging, fuel, or maintenance, those get handled as separate deductions entirely. Understanding this distinction matters because lumping everything together leads to inaccurate claims and confusion when it’s time to actually file. The Rate Is Set By The Government,...