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0 pointsghaff2y ago0 comments

Add frequent flier miles, "kickbacks" of a couple percent on credit card expenses that are reimbursed, clothing (such as suits) and commuting expenses that are not reimbursed, but uniforms (and related) that are deductible, etc. As you say it's a mishmash that doesn't have a real basis in some overarching principles.

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arcticbull2y ago

In the US un-reimbursed business expenses are no longer federally tax deductible unless you fit in some very specific niches. That changed under TCJA in 2017 (effective 2018 tax year) IIRC. [1]

[1] https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/jobs-and-career/employe...

dmoy2y ago

> but uniforms (and related) that are deductible

Not after 2017, I think?

ghaffOP2y ago

Entirely possible. Presumably most people who wear uniforms don't itemize deductions today in any case. The broader point was that people get various random perks that don't get taxed and have various expenses that don't get reimbursed/deducted.

arcticbull2y ago

Credit card points aren't taxable because they fall under the IRS rebate rule. They're treated like a coupon. Earning and spending frequent flyer miles is approximately equivalent, from the perspective of the IRS, to a 20% off bread coupon at your grocery store.

It doesn't change your point of course, I just find it interesting.

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bombcar2y ago

And deductible for the individual is different from the company can buy this and claim it as an expense without having to also account it as salary to the employee.

The pay you get is an expense to the company, and if the company buys and maintains uniforms, likely that is also, but it is not counted as part of your salary even if you get to take the uniforms home.

And self-employment makes it all even more complicated.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

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arcticbull2y ago

In the US un-reimbursed business expenses are no longer federally tax deductible unless you fit in some very specific niches. That changed under TCJA in 2017 (effective 2018 tax year) IIRC. [1]

[1] https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/jobs-and-career/employe...

dmoy2y ago

> but uniforms (and related) that are deductible

Not after 2017, I think?

ghaffOP2y ago

arcticbull2y ago

It doesn't change your point of course, I just find it interesting.

2 more replies

bombcar2y ago

And deductible for the individual is different from the company can buy this and claim it as an expense without having to also account it as salary to the employee.

And self-employment makes it all even more complicated.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse