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Are commuting costs deductible?
Dear Tax Talk:
I drive to my work at a hospital five
days a week, 112 miles one way. In 2002, that was 39,786 miles.
I work overnight, go back home and then return to my job. Can I
deduct this travel? Plus, I lease my car. Is this expense deductible?
Thank you,
Mikhail
Dear Mikhail:
You should think about moving closer to work.
Even though you work overnight out of town, your drive
to and from work is considered personal and not deductible. While
business expenses include overnight travel out of town, the town
for this purpose is the town that you work in, not the town that
you live in.
The fact that the car is leased doesn't change the
answer. I'm sure your lease has a mileage cap, which means you definitely
don't want to continue commuting so far to work.
-- Posted: March 20, 2003
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