Parking And Paying?

Nothing beats free...but how does truck stop parking work for company drivers? See a few open chain truck stop lots in my travels to chat with other drivers but others with gates -- Does the driver have to pay for parking? Is it something that the company covers? Is parking tied to a chain's loyalty program? OR Is it just some random gate for security? Any insight is appreciated!

I drive for Melton and the two times I have used the "reserved" parking at a TA or Petro, they have reimbursed me. Depending on the truck stop,(those with gates/guards) if you get fuel you can park for free. With some exceptions, I find flatbedding keeps hours that you don't have to worry too much about finding parking. Either that or I'm a slacker that is getting by.

Usually the gated ones are either TA or Petro. They require you to show $20 in receipts to park for free. Having a co- driver, we usually just eat and that covers it. If solo, a gallon of oil (reimbursed) and a soda refill will cover it.

The few times I had to pay (TA/Petro) I was reimbursed. I think Iowa allows me to deduct it off my taxes if I don't get reimbursed.

Dave

Deduct it off taxes even when you do get reimbursed. That's a classic case of easier to ask forgiveness than permission.

Deduct it off taxes even when you do get reimbursed. That's a classic case of easier to ask forgiveness than permission.

Not really. That is problematic at best. If your audited not only do you have to pay that money back but you also get a fine in the bargain so that few dollars you were trying to claim quick turns into several hundred.

Just not worth messing with the IRS.

I'm not going to implicate myself here but suffice to say doing it 10 times and getting caught once turns out to be profitable. Now if they ever found out about my NRA or JBS memberships that ratio might change to 10/10.

Deduct it off taxes even when you do get reimbursed. That's a classic case of easier to ask forgiveness than permission.

Not really. That is problematic at best. If your audited not only do you have to pay that money back but you also get a fine in the bargain so that few dollars you were trying to claim quick turns into several hundred.

Just not worth messing with the IRS.

That is true. That is why (This year) I am keeping my receipts. There were a few times I did NOT put in a P.O. request. If I saved my receipt, I would have been good.

Dave

Now if they ever found out about my NRA or JBS memberships that ratio might change to 10/10.

Off topic but I gotta share this. My recently turned 14 year old grandson has been scholar of the year, on dean's list almost continuously, just made "life" level BSA (Eagle scout all that is left to achieve), joined the Civil Air Patrol recently and is just one of the sharpest (and funniest) kids I know (he's the one named me Jopa when he was learning to speak). So the school councilor calls my daughter and says they are concerned about him because of all of his "para-military" affiliations (that's what they called them) and the fact that him & his dad are members of the NRA. We're talking PRIME (no pun intended) Truckee redneck/blue collar stock here. Did I mention he is also on the trap shooting team (as is his little 11 year old sister, my little alien)?? So they gave him some kind of survey and being as smart (a**) as he is he gave them all the answers they wanted to hear. "I have violent thoughts!!" and they freaked out and called my daughter to say they think she needs to get him COUNSELING with a psychiatrist! She asked him why he said what he said and he replied, "Just screwing with their heads, mom." What a maroon!! The kid cracks me up. The school frightens me. Para-military! The BOY SCOUTS?? CIVIL AIR PATROL??? I'm telling ya, I am a California third generation native son and the place is almost uninhabitable!!

Jopa

Deduct it off taxes even when you do get reimbursed. That's a classic case of easier to ask forgiveness than permission.

Not really. That is problematic at best. If your audited not only do you have to pay that money back but you also get a fine in the bargain so that few dollars you were trying to claim quick turns into several hundred.

Just not worth messing with the IRS.

That is true. That is why (This year) I am keeping my receipts. There were a few times I did NOT put in a P.O. request. If I saved my receipt, I would have been good.

Dave

If your company will reimburse for parking then you can not deduct it. Only way you can deduct an expense like this if your company specifically states they will not reimburse.