Travelling expenses

Posted: Mon, Jun 25 2012, 4:48 pm Post subject: travelling expenses

I'm starting a new job soon, and part of the job is traveling form one client to another. DH wants me to ask for reimbursement of gas used ( would end up to about an hour of gas per day) since he gives his workers who need to do that reimbursement, he thinks I should get it too. (I'm not talking about getting to work and back home, but transportation from one client to the next within the work day).

I'm hesitant to ask for this, I doubt the people I'm working for do this. is this a normal thing that employees can ask of employers?

Posted: Mon, Jun 25 2012, 5:17 pm Post subject: re: travelling expenses

I work for a CPA firm and I get reimbursed for travel to and from clients for anything above the cost of what I'd spend to get to the office. So if my commute to the office would be a $2.25 metro card each way (total $5.50) I'd have to deduct that from my cost of travel to the client to calculate what the firm would reimburse. I get paid 55.5 cents a mile which is the IRS mileage rate. I think this kind of arrangement is standard in accounting.
But I have a friend whos husband works in kashrus and he does not get reimbursed for his travel costs even though he spends hours on the road.
I think you should definitely bring it up. The worst thing that could happen is the boss says no.

Diamond Member Joined: Nov 30 2009 Posts: 4638

You should certainly ask.

Reimbursable expense acc to tax law/IRS is for 55.5 cents/mile for miles that are driven aside from going home and going to work. (so someone that just goes to the main office wouldnt get reimbursed but someone that goes to 3 different client's offices would get reimbursed for all the driving except when heading to work and heading home)

but your employer can say no. you should def bring it up when discussing your terms.

Platinum Member Joined: Feb 20 2009 Posts: 7635

Government jobs usually offer this benefit, as well as others. Definitely worth asking.

Posted: Tue, Jun 26 2012, 12:37 pm Post subject: re: travelling expenses

I offer it to my employees when they use their personal vehicles during work. It shouldn't hurt to ask. In the worst case, the employer will say no.

If the employer says no, you can still keep track of the mileage and claim that as a tax deduction at 55.5 cents per mile.