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You can still deduct your MT expenses if your and IC - sm

Posted By: Laura E. on 2006-03-28
In Reply to: Statutory MT/Independent contractor - Lee

regardless of taking the standard deduction. Your write offs for MT are on the Schedule C (not B). My husband and I take the standard deduction as we don't have enough on our Sch. B; then I write off all my IC deductions and report my income on the Sch. C.; putting the bottom line (income minus IC write-offs) on the 1040 line 12. So I am not quite clear on what you are talking about but I know how I do it is how most of us (if not all) do our deductions. You may want to do an amended return.


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Was told could deduct pet expenses. sm.
If it is a dog and is over 50 pounds, you can claim its food, vet bills, pet insurance, vaccinations all that as long as your business is run from your home. It applies as a guard dog. It does not matter which breed the dog is either. This is the state of Missouri, not sure about other states.

I am gonna try it as we shelled out alot of money over a period of time for a dog that was poisoned. Luckily, he lived.
I deduct all expenses that relate to my home office-% of utilities, taxes, repairs to that room, --s
mortgage (we do not plan to sell our house so this deduction will not affect us)as my office is used only for that purpose, internet, phone, I print out a daily schedule so paper/ink, computer repairs, pens, pencils, tape, staples, file cabinets, storge bins for tax recepts/tax returns,file folders. Anything/everything I use to do my job.

I was using mileage for another account where I pick up tapes every day, but found for me the time it took to keep track of the mileage, write it down, add it up was not worth the effort so I quit doing it this year.
They want to deduct your salary from their
business expenses - so if they have NOT paid you, do not cooperate. Send them a registered letter stating simply the total $ owed, and enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope for their convenience - ha - and hold out signing any forms until YOU GET PAID!! What nerve they have!
Even when they deduct your entire (sm)
report if you make one error that QA doesn't catch and the hospital does?

Seems to me like QA should get dinged, not the MT.

TRS is your typical admin-heavy, treat the MT like a number company, made more offensive by their assumption that everyone in America is "Christian" and will adore prayer requests and other off-topic crap on the company email.


Yes you can deduct it. Employees get

the same deductions many ICs do particularly since so many companies do not pay for large office space any longer, power, etc.  If you have any question at all about how to do it, ask your accountant but Turbo Tax walked me through it last year and this year too.  It used to be that they did not ask, but now they do and you can deduct your office based on the size of it and the mortgage etc. 


What many offices used to have now belongs to us that work at home and yes, we get that benefit because the offices definitely cannot legally deduct for this. Some companies reimburse for your internet.  Oh whoopie.  Less are providing equipment.  So now we do get to do a whole lot as employees because the costs of these necessities for work have been placed on us by cheap employers who try to get by with as little expense as possible.


 


You can deduct many things when you are an IC - sm
Obviously since you were only an IC for 2 months in 2006, you can only make deductions for those 2 months, electricity for your home office, supplies, internet connection, phone, if you bought a computer for the IC job, use of your home office (a small fraction of your mortgage)---now if you are planning to move the smart thing to do is not take the home office deduction, it causes problems, a tax professional can explain all that. I take everything but the home office deduction as we have been saying for years were are going to move, and I figure if I finally do it, that will be when we finally do move, I'd probably be able to right off anohter $1k if I took it. So I end up writing off a percentage of my electricity and heat, phone line, internet, computer (took that deduction a few years ago), computer chair, printer supplies, reference books, programs, etc. You get the picture. Anything that pertains to your job you can write off basically. If you drive and pick up/deliver work, you can write off your mileage, just keep records. I have had both employee jobs and IC at the same time, best of both worlds in regards to taxes. I would have extra taxes taken out of the employee job to cover my IC taxes, though my DH has extra taken out and that has always covered my taxes so far. It is not hard to do, use a spreadsheet and let the computer do the work for you.
No, it's not. Poster says nothing about deduct.
x
You can deduct A LOT more than just office
x
I have no expenses except to buy my
computer, desk and chair, which after time becomes a wash and are nominal expenses. All my references are online paid for by the company (all Stedman electronic word books, my free personal subscription to Monthly Prescribing Reference, etc.)
Maybe you can cut your expenses? sm
If you are using telephones for dictation, maybe switch to handheld units? Or use a TASP to save money on calls? Use the Internet more to cut down on expenses. Hope this helps. If you can, keep your clients. They are hard to come by nowadays.
What do you mean? They pay/deduct all but state taxes?
.
You can deduct your work stuff, i.e. all of above, but you will need a Sch. C - sm
I believe. I think you need that schedule (vs. the CEZ) in order to write all that off. The computer would be line 13 and you can take a section 179 deduction for the entire amount, for which you need form 4562 (lines 7-12 and 24a-29). It is not difficult to do. For your state taxes generally (presume every state is different though), you take line 36 off your 1040 (if you are using a 1040) and that amount will contain your reported income from the sch. C (which has your write-offs) - Good luck !
deduct for errors, infomatics
thatnks for your response. it's in the contract i got from them sat. i am supposed to start training tomorrow. my friend works for them and loves it. i'm a little bit more skeptical i guess. all type never called me back and that was me. i have applied to lots of cos. this weekend and will probably hear from some tomorrow. i had my own service and am technologically deprived. we had tapes and c phones, no internet voice. this is all new to me. infomatics does say they pay ins. now if you are full time.
deduct for errors, infomatics
Just curious but where did you obtain this information? I've heard there is another company, (who will deny it but the MTs swear it happens) who deducts for errors. I do not know this firsthand, however.

Did you take the job with Infomatics?

When I spoke with them about a year ago they were at 8 cpl and just in case - they do not have insurance coverage, which is something I must have.

Also, did you make a post earlier about a company All Type and the recruiter didn't call you back? If that is you, did they finally call you - would you consider working for them at this point?

I have always tried to research any company I think I would like to apply to, prior to applying. I even go so far as to check their Dunn & Bradstreet scores, because I want to know how financially stable they are or are not, if they pay bills on time, etc. But I'm a little OCD and AR...LOL

Well, I've rambled enough...BUT,,,,Please let us know what you decide and BEST OF LUCK :-)
DEDUCT FOR ERRORS, INFOMATICS
Do all big co. deduct for less than 989% accuracy.  They deduct 5%  Really leary of this company and am supposed to train tomorrow.  Seems it stays at 8 cents forever with no differentials or anything.
If married, have husband deduct more
You say you are married have your husband deduct more.  They don't care who pays the taxes as long as they get paid.  If you owe over a certain percentage they can put on a small fine but to me it didn't bother me and the few times I had to pay, I did it at year end.   When married though just had my hubby do one less dependant or single instead of married and it worked and most of the time still got a few pennies back.  But I keep a running spread sheet and on my Quick Books of what I am making, what my deductions are, etc. to keep ahead of the game.  Am always budgeting for next month and next year. 
each co. sets their own % to deduct, there is no standard
You would need to check the QA policy at your company to see what they deduct in points or percentage for each type of error. What Spheris does versus TTS or Medquist or whoever, it's all different.
MTSO will deduct for errors?
Hello everyone.  I signed a contract that my company can deduct for a certain percentage of errors or too many blanks.  Is this the norm?  Please advise.  I have 10 years of experience but I am still concerned.
Remember that's $40 before all expenses. nm
x
Medical expenses

January, 2000 - DH tore rotator cuff, needed MRI/arthrogram, followed by rotator cuff repair.


January, 2001 - I had foot surgery in podiatrist's office. 


January, 2002 - DH had cervical MRI/myelogram, followed by anterior cervical diskectomy with fusion, two levels.


January,  2003 - DH had knee MRI, followed by arthroscopy.


January, 2004 - I had LASIK surgery. 


OMYGOSH, it's almost January again! 


Why not just add it to your business expenses? nm
x
Tax Deductible Expenses
We ran a business for years from our home.  As far as I know, you can take the base rate of your telephone bill as an expense (which includes FCC taxes) and any long distance calls related directly to the business.  As for Home Owners Insurance, you can take 7% of the insurance because you use 7% of your home for your business.  Also, anything related to the business such as equipment, paper, tapes or special software programs can be taken as well.  If you have to travel to deliver the finished reports, I believe the rate is 28 cents a mile.  If you travel, you can also deduct any maintenance on your vehicle.   Hope this helps. 
Taxes, Expenses
I would have internet anyway; now I get to write it off. I would have long distance anyway; now I get to write it off. Everyone pays taxes and insurance, it is just a matter of who is doing the bookkeeping. Walmart STARTS at $8/hour and then when they pay all that same stuff they are really making $5- $6. You can write off ALL your health insurance, a portion of your utilities and the area you work in, computer, software, and other supplies.....save on gas (this is HUGE right now), work clothes, make up, day care, and and and. There's always more than one way to view something.
Also, are these figures before tax/expenses or after? sm
Some ICs might be quoting their pay before taxes and expense deductions, which isn't their ACTUAL pay for the year. If someone has their own accounts and says they bring in $50K per year, that's possible, but probably not the amount they receive free and clear.

I find it hard to believe anyone makes that much free and clear unless they are working 12 hours a day, every day, and pulling in a significantly high per-line rate. I'm not saying it can't be done, but I base this opinion on the fact that I make a very good line rate, type over 100 wpm for easy accounts I've had for years, and still don't bring in that kind of money free and clear. I come close with my gross income, but after taxes and expenses, it's only about 65% of that! And I work 9-10 hours a day with only one week of vacation per year.

Come to think of it, that's pretty sad when I see it on paper. LOL I'm going to go look for a new line of work now.
I also live in an apt complex and plan to deduct
75% of my ISP, 100% of my ULD and I am considering 50% of my utilities (haven't decided on that one yet).

The reason I won't file for paying taxes is this. I live in a large apartment complex. Most of the complex is located within city limits, but I live in the back part which is actually located in what is considered as incorporated county. So, you can see that the property management pays a different tax rate for the majority of its property from the location of my apartment and because I cannot hand the IRS a statement showing I paid XXX amount in property tax, I will only claim the square footage...something I can prove in writing by printing out the floor plan, taking pictures of the office, and having a copy of the lease.
I tried to deduct price of deck by sitting out
x
What is the cost of your living expenses? sm

I would really like to know this as mine seem high.  My cost for the bare minimum, not including insurance, medical costs or entertainment, is about $1,800.00 per month.


Is that high to most people?  TIA.


$350 a month for my share of expenses.
z
get a credit card just for your IC expenses
it will keep all your expenses in one place and you won't need to keep receipts, just the credit card statements. Other than that, track mileage, though to be frank most people will just claim an average mileage and then create a mileage journal if audited. Also if you will take the home office deduction, you can claim percentage of heating, etc. but easy enough to do that. Might be worth your while to consult with a CPA if you take the IC job, and then the first year that you do your taxes. He can explain everything you need and then you can take it from there. Just one or two more forms to fill out, nothing earth-shattering.
Poll: Earnings vs Expenses

1.  What are your monthly earnings -- just you (no spousal income) -- doesn't matter how many jobs....monthly earnings?


2.   Do you work more than one job?


3.  What is your base line rate?  If you have more than 1 job, list all base rates.


4.   Now what is the minimum bring-home pay you need to survive each month?  This is your housing, energy, transportation, insurances, food -- what you have to have to make it. 


5.   What's the difference?  Are you in the hole?  Got surplus?  Breaking even?


My answers:


1.   About $3100 each month.


2.   One job.


3.   $0.095 cpl plus some incentive bonus each month.


4.   $2287 gets everything paid.  Savings and pocket money not included in that figure.


5.   Surplus but not much.  Trying to save as much as possible and have a few greenbacks in my wallet each week. 


 


 


WORK-AT-HOME EXPENSES JUST AS MUCH - sm

as if I were working outside the home, if not more.  The only thing I would spend money on an outside job would be the $4.00 daily bus fare.  I have more than enough clothes for work, no problem there, maybe lunch or can brown-bag.  The company pays the office space, light, electricity, internet, cable, AIR CONDITIONING in summer (imp.)


On the other hand, even as an employee, I am not reimbursed for my high-speed, HIGH-COST cable/DSL/telephone I need to make these few cents a line, electric costs, lights, AC BILL JUMPS WHEN SITTING AT PC ALL DAY IN SUMMER, buy my own office supplies, books, references. 


Just another mind sc---ing they give you by telling you it's cheaper to work at home.  (I have no kids). 


No, SE means you pay part of your FICA and SS and state tax. They do not deduct it all.
x
Doesn't matter....they deduct 25% (or more) from your TOTAL lines - NM
NM
Can an at home employee deduct a computer on taxes?

Can deduct portion of mortgage, utilities.Equip
x
6 months of expenses "tucked/socked" away? No way. sm
I am the owner of a small transcription company. We have 50 transcriptionists. We invoice $150,000 per month. Our payroll, taxes, manager salaries, postage, bank fees, overhead, etc run approximately $140,000 per month. That means that we should have $840,000 tucked away somewhere. No way. We depend on our customers to pay. Our employees are paid on time and paid a decent rate. Our bills are paid. To say that someone needs 6 months of expenses put away is unrealistic and naive. Where did I attend school? For undergrad, University of Michigan, for graduate school, Northwestern University, with a master's degree in Business Management and a Bach degree in Finance. The rule of thumb is to have one payroll worth of cash on hand or a line of credit available equal to that amount.

It's really annoying that people can toss out comments like that, stating them as if they were fact, without any basis of fact. Most companies do not have close to a million dollars lying around. If they do, it is foolish.
I also took home office expenses as an employee, but --
You can only get any good out of it if you are also a homeowner with a lot of mortgage interest or have a lot of medical expenses, etc., that would make it higher than the standard deduction.
deducting home office expenses -
For the home office expense - You would measure the amount of space you actually use to work (your desk area) and figure the percentage of that square footage to your total square footage. Then you would use that percentage of your utilities costs, etc., to count on your taxes.
deduct telephone, electric and portion of house payments.
Hope this helps!
I got into this because it paid more money and I didn't have daycare expenses.
I have more time for a social life now that I work at home.  I go to lunch or coffee with family and friends.  I used to run errands on my lunch half-hour at my old job and either pay my bills or balance my checkbook on my breaks.  I know all the other parents at the school now, so we get together on weekends or chitchat at the school.  When I used to work outside the home, I was so exhausted from dealing with crabby people all day long that I just wanted to isolate myself at home on evenings and weekends.  Now that I work at home, I actually seek out friends to keep from getting isolated.
You could take him to small claims to get expenses and pain and suffering.
:+
Need help with calculating expenses for bid on large account. At the moment I do not know *sm*
how many lines they dictate per day/week.  I am going to call the person who sent me the bid forms and ask.  I do not have my own call-in system and would be using a TASP. Can someone tell me that currently uses a TASP how to go about figuring my costs in so that I do not under bid.  I know that each dictator and the type of report is going to vary but on an average what would you say?  Bottom line is I need to know how many cents per line I need to charge to cover the call-in system and my other expenses.  Another thing they listed in the bid is that the vendor is to provide all other supplies including plain paper to complete each assignment.  The hospital will provide any special letterhead, envelopes, etc.  How do you provide the paper and probably the toner if you are doing this remotely?  Would there be any other expenses that would fall under other supplies that you can think of other than toner and paper?  How much toner and paper do I provide or should I ask the hospital what they use on a  weekly basis?  I would assume I have the right to ask questions as to how much paper, toner, how many lines they do each day or week on average.  I want this account very much but I do not want to have to pay a cheap line rate and I need to make this worth my while.  Thank you very much for you help. 
One thing also - keep all your receipts of any business related expenses

I have a folder and everytime I buy anything related to work whether it be a pen, a printer ribbon, a book, a keyboard, etc.  I put in that folder.  Those things add up and they are all deductible which comes off of your gross.  This is in addition to the home use of your office.  A statutory IC is a great way to go because you don't have to pay the entire social security but you are still IC and can utilize the business deductions.  If you pay your own health insurance and it is in your name that is also deductible.  Keep good records...this is the most important I have learned being an IC.  Also you will probably have to file quarterly if you make over a certain amount.  If you don't you will be penalized by IRS and have to pay the penalty fee with your April 15th filing. And also remember to figure your state taxes for the year.   However it does depend on your personal situation and if you file jointly with your husband that may change things.  Good luck.


Personally I think IC is great but unless you have some really good deductions you can end up paying a lot in taxes.  If you have to pay your own social security at 15% and you were taxed at 20% rate for federal and let's say 6% for state you would be paying 41% of your income in taxes which is no fun.  But you only pay on your net income and not your gross so it sort of comes out in the wash.


 


home office expenses are still deductible if you are an employee - nm
x
My cost of living expenses monthly is $2200/month
I'm self employed, so I'm killed in taxes AND I live in NY...but I wouldn't have it any other way

I LOVE NEW YORK!!!!
Any help on form 8829*Expenses for Business Use of your Home would be greatly

Hi All,


I was a statutory employee last year but not now.  I usually do my own taxes but am having trouble with form 8829 and am not sure if the accountant can squeeze me in at this late date.  Thought I would try here first for help.  I use my den exclusively for work (almost) and am going to take this 7% of our home as a business expense. 


Under Part II... Lines 10 and 11.  Deductible mortgage interest and real estate taxes...I am going to take the entire amount on schedule A, so, hopefully, do not have to enter anything here. 


line 17. Insurance.  Are we allowed to take a portion of our homeowners insurance as a deduction? I have no separate business insurance. 


Line 19. Utilities.  I know I can take 7% of my electric, gas, water, garbage (I think), but what about phones? We have both cell and regular phone.  When I call, I use the regular phone for toll free numbers, but the cell phone to my boss who does not have a toll free #. 


Then, I need to find the value of my home for Part III. I guess I will check home sales in the neighborhood and go by that. 


Geez..sorry for sounding like such a dummy.  I can do all the other...capital gains, etc, just not sure what is allowed for home expenses.


As I say, I will try to get in to the accountant, but any advise for any of this form would be greatly appreciated.  I cannot complete schedule A until I have my Profit or Loss done, which I cannot complete until I do this form.


Thanks.


I too question you overhead expenses. I work for a company that only gets 11-12 cpl and pays us 8-8.
/
True but that is to cover the expenses like rent, office supplies, sm
manager salaries. That does not include payroll that is based on service.

A good example woould be this: You are starting a book store. You need to plan the original inventory and six months worth of expenses. If you sell that inventory, you use the money from that to buy more books. If you do not sell any at first, you can stay in business for six months while you get noticed.

With transcription or any service business, you need enough in the bank to cover the same expenses, those that can keep you afloat while building your client base. However, you only hire more people as you get more customers. The payroll does not figure into the 6 months as it is based on what you provide, whereas the 6 months takes into account what it takes to get it going even if you do not have 1 employee.

Very, very few companies can have $800,000 lying around. If they did, they probably would need to invest it in equipment or spend it in other ways or the IRS would consider it profit and tax the heck out of it!
deduct everything you can think of, electricity, phone, home office if you chose to, supplies, inter
you get the picture. I don't do the home office deduction though because we keep saying we are going to build on a lot we have and things get screwed up with taxes due to this, something with depreciation, not really sure, know someone who had this problem though, owed a lot back. When we do move, then I will take it since I know it won't be an issue then. I write off about $2-$3K a year which helps some. Was paying quartly but have not done it in 2 years as I usually don't owe more than $1200 and my husband has extra taken out of his pay, so that has always, so far, taken care of any taxes I have "owed". -- Check out the IRS website they have plenty of info on the subject.
Thwap the husband on the head, buy the keyboard, save the receipt, deduct it from your taxes.

I wouldn't even ask my husband for something like that, any more than he asks me if he can fill up his car with gas so he can get to work! Sheesh! What a prince of a guy you've got there....  You get your keyboard, girl! 


I figure income minus expenses, send 23% for federal and 7.5% to state--sm
quarterly. The state probably differs state to state, but that is the percentile my accountant came up with. Have never had to pay and additional.