Per Diems deduction can be one of the best flight attendant deductions. This deduction depends on which city you layover in. The IRS states that you can either itemize each city you fly to or you may take a standard rate. If you fly domestic, this standard rate can work to your advantage. We are seeing a nice jump in them minimum about in 2006. Previous the base rate was $31 a day for meals and incidentals; in 2006 the base rate has jumped to $39. However keeping track of every city is important as many cities are substantially higher that the base rate, as high as $61. Alaska and Hawaii can be as high as $91. We have attached both 2005 and 2006 U.S. rates. Also realize that changes in per diem rates are from October to October, thus you need to keep track of locations times. A few seasonal cities even have seasonal per diem rates.
If you fly any international trips, it is well worth itemizing out your layover cities. The standard rate for International is $46 per day where as the daily rate for a common city such as London is $100 per day. Both Alaska and Hawaii are included on international rates. When figuring out your Per Diem, you use Meals and Incidental rates. For instance in Anchorage Alaska you take the Local Meal rate of $71 plus the Incidental rate of $18 for an M
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Frequently Asked Questions
Many Questions: International Employment, 1099's, Estimated Tax, & Roth IRA tax free details.
By: Walt | 10-09-2008
Hello, I had a few tax questions I was hoping you might be able to answer. 1) If trying to use principle of Roth IRA tax free for first time home purchase, does the first time home purchase need to have a structure or can it be undeveloped residential property? 2) Can a tax free Roth IRA principle be used for first time home purchase in Canada? 3) Is a Canadian employer required to issue a 1099 or any like document for contract employment? 4) Does the burden of responsibility for 1099 Private Contracting Declaration fall on the payer for services rendered? 5) If no 1099 is issued then how does one declare private contracting income? 6) Are there any special tax guidelines for self employment in Agriculture: Equine Training/Service? 7) Is reimbursement for materials/equip rental on a contract job taxable? 8) What is the proper way to declare worldwide income? 9) If a spouse receives most of his/her income in another country, what is the proper way/status to file/file under? To what extent is time spent in the foreign country a concern?10)Where do I send esimated federal tax if I am a resident of WY. I hope these questions are clear enough. Thanks for any assistance you can provide. Walt
Deducting Mortgage if on title but Mortgage in someone else's name
By: Momof2 | 09-09-2008
Hi Tracy,
I have a somewhat complicated story which I'll try to keep simple. I have filed taxes for 2004, 2005 but not yet for 2006. In 2004 I was entitled to the earned income tax credit but did not take it mostly because I was doing taxes manually and didn't know enough to do it. I believe I am entitled to a refund. In 2005 my husband had significant earnings and he has not yet filed for that year. Now, because I am going to have to file bankruptcy, I must file everything.
Here's the question. Either one of us (my husband and I) or both of us have been on the title to our home since 2004 (longer than that but that's another very complicated story). My grandmother was also on title and the mortgage was in her name. HOWEVER, we made ALL THE PAYMENTS and can back that up with copies of checks. As our mortgage was sizeable ($36kish) we'd REALLY like to deduct it. Can we? We have the relevant forms from the bank documenting the interest paid. Is it best to just deduct it and include the form with her name and hope for the best or is it better to include an explanatory letter with copies of the checks. Keep in mind that I will be submitting three years back taxes at once - hopefully with a refund for 04 and 06 and taxes due (for my husband) from 05.
So, can I deduct the mortgage since we paid it even though it was in her name? My grandmother never deducted it (she passed in 2004 but we didn't refi into our names until 2006). Should I send it in with the form in her name or should I write an explanatory letter and include evidence?
I need to do this very soon as I need to get the refunds before I file for bankruptcy. Many thanks!
Sam and Janet are married. Sam left home in ...
By: Sandee | 08-09-2008
Sam and Janet are married. Sam left home in April 2007. Before leaving home he earned 3000.00. Janet did not know of his wearabouts. If Sam made any more money that year Janet is not aware of it.
Must Janet file an income tax form for 2007? What filing status should she use? How much income should she report?
How many dependents are you allowed to claim on ...
By: veronica | 08-09-2008
How many dependents are you allowed to claim on your taxes.
Out of state employee
By: ps | 08-09-2008
I work in North Carolina for a ny based company.The company has no offices here and I work from home,what state and federal income taxes will I be paying?
Taxed Again
By: Don Widman | 06-09-2008
I am planning a trip to S. Korea,I've been told that any money I take over there over 10K has to be reported and I have to pay a tax or surcharge? Also on returning to the US I have to declare amounts over 10K and be taxed,levied again! Is this true, what is public law or tax code. What is current rates between countries?
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