Should I keep up with my mileage or my gas receipts?

Question

I'm taking another job and it is across the state line. I will still reside at my same residence (I'm not relocating). For tax purposes, I guess to try to get more back at income time, should I keep up with mileage or gas receipts? OR BOTH? Any pointers will help....Thanks!

Answer 1

Flat rate mileage is simpler than actual expenses.

But if you are talking about your miles from home to work and back, and it sounds like that's what you are saying, those are commuting miles and aren't deductible in any case.

Answer 2

Why?  Your commuting expenses are not deductible.

Answer 3

Please clarify.... you state you're "taking another job"... do you currently have a job and now you have a second job??? Or, is it just one job??

Generally, traveling between your home and job is considering commuting and Non-deductible!

But, if you travel from one job to a second job, then that portion of the trip from the 1st job to the 2d job is Deductible. You will need to keep a travel log of the mileage.

Answer 4

There are a lot of limits for mileage deductions. You can't deduct driving expenses to your main place of work, no matter how far away it is. However, is this a second job? Will you still be working at your first job? If you work in your own town at your first job more than you commute to the second job in the other state, then you may be able to because it is a secondary work location. The rules on this that I've read are a bit fuzzy, however, so definitely consult a tax person on that.

If this is to be your only job, then no. No deductions for the mileage. I think there should be, but there's not. Sorry. :(

Answer 5

No need to track miles or fuel expenses.  Commuting costs are not deductible.  If you drive as part of your work after you arrive at the office then that is deductible, but commuting never is.

Answer 6

True that commuting expenses are not deductible. If you are in sales then you will be able to deduct either the full cost of the car expense (fuel, tires, depreciation, etc) or mileage. Usually mileage is better and easier. I had a sales job and made sure I made a sales call each time I had to go to the office. If you have a strict office job then the only way would be for you to be an "independent contractor" (a 1099 employee) and you would be responsible for all of your insurance, taxes, etc. Then you can deduct about anything as an expense.

Answer 7

Try it doesn't matter. driving to and from work is not tax deductible.