Standard Mileage Deduction

[Margie]

Does anybody out there with a cargo van use the standard mileage deduction for taxes? Do you claim all the miles on your van as long as none are used for personal use? Has anyone been audited by the IRS that has used the standard mileage deduction? Any info will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[terryandrene]

Margie:

Most all of us use the standard mile allowance in lieu of the actual expense deductions. The resident expert tax adviser Frank Katz also suggests this method for cargo vans.

I have a Qualcomm terminal mounted in my van so that the Carrier and I can stay in constant communication. When I use the van for purposes that some might consider personal, such as hauling wood from the Home Depot, I need to keep the Qualcomm close for communication purposes, so I justify 100% business use.

Terry

 

[RichM]

I run a D Unit. I have always taken the mileage deduction vs operating and depreciation costs. Audited once , no problems..Only thing is if you start out with a mileage deduction on a particular vehicle you cannot change horses in mid-stream.

 

[Margie]

Rich,
Did you claim 100% of your miles? Did they give you any problem with accepting the deduction?

 

[RichM]

With a D Unit I claimed 100% of the miles. For my personal vehicle I claim about 50% of the miles since I use it to go to and from the truck,buy truck supplies etc.

 

[highway star]

I spoke with someone yesterday who says you can take depreciation along with mileage, but no expenses. I say you can't take depeciation. Who's right?

 

[guest]

You can't take the mileage deduction and the depreciation deduction. The mileage deduction is an approximate value of operating expenses and depreciation on the equipment.