David Ilvedson wrote: > How are techs keeping tracking of their mileage? I would like to be > able enter mileage and have it do the math...probably a > spreadsheet...but on a PDA > > David Ilvedson, RPT > Pacifica, CA 94044 The way I keep mileage is to, first, start by mapping to and from directions by MapQuest. Take that figure and round up (I do that because I figure the first time you are looking for the place) Then double it (for round trip) Then multiply it times the current business mileage rate. For 2009, it's 0.55 cents a mile. (Now comes the easy part, at least for me. I have setup my accounting program to literally mimic the 1040 Schedule C for the chart of accounts) So I just add that number to the Car & Truck expenses (Schedule C - Line 9) I personally like mileage because it's easier to remember - instead of actual maintenance costs. --------- Now, to solve the problem of figuring your Office Use of your house, which I cleared with my accountant when I started, I calculate Business Use (Line 25) by keeping track of my utilities as a percentage of your house space. For example, if you are using 25% of your overall house space as business work space, then you create one pocket for utilities (Cell phone, electric, gas, phone, sewer, trash, water). Take each one of those costs x 25% and you have your business use cost. Now if you have a dedicated cell phone or second house phone line then you take the full amount. This way you don't have to worry about - literally - setting aside and dedicating rooms and making sure you comply with the tax rules. ---------- If you have a way to customize your accounting package to mimic to 1040 Schedule C then your accounting becomes a "piece of cake". I've even got mine commented with the schedules' line numbers. Duaine -- Duaine Hechler Piano, Player Piano, Pump Organ Tuning, Servicing & Rebuilding Reed Organ Society Member Florissant, MO 63034 (314) 838-5587 dahechler at att.net www.hechlerpianoandorgan.com -- Home & Business user of Linux - 10 years
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