Tax Deductions for Flight Attendants
While there are no specific tax deductions for flight attendants or other airline crew members, this job field is an example of the type of job that may have some unique tax deduction opportunities.
When you consider the nature of the Flight Attendants career field, some obvious facts emerge concerning possible tax deductions. The Flight Attendant does an awful lot of travel away from their home in the performance of their duties. Sadly, the airplane does not count as a private vehicle and they can not claim mileage deductions, but there are certain travel expenses and per diem deductions that can be itemized and greatly reduce the tax burden on these hosts and hostesses of the sky.
A Flight Attendant is allowed to deduct travel and training related expenses incurred in the course of their work. Due to the constant travel, often to different locations, record keeping is absolutely essential in order to maximize the possible deductions. Most tax preparers suggest that the Flight Attendant keep a receipt for any expense over $75, but they absolutely insist that extremely accurate and detailed records are kept in a log or diary.
There are a number of accounting and tax preparation firms that specialize in tax assistance to the Airline Industry and its employees. These firms generally provide a “Flight Expense Reporter” to facilitate the keeping of records. They also generally provide “per diem calculators” that can easily provide exact per diem amounts based on the common airport destinations of flight attendants.
It is rather rare that an industry has sprung up around the tax problems of a particular job field, but Pilots, Flight Engineers, and Flight Attendants have several characteristics that make them ideal candidates for such specialized tax help. First, they are generally well paid and in a higher tax bracket. Second, they are required to travel extensively and continuously in the performance of their jobs. Third, they are subject to uniform and training requirements that would be considered above average. The training and certification requirements are, by no means, optional.
Although the firms that help calculate tax deductions for flight attendants will usually start with an explanation that it is only necessary to itemize when the total of itemized deductions exceeds the Standard Deduction, you get the feeling this is something that is going to happen every time. The very nature of the job makes it one where a great many itemized deductions are available and accurate record keeping and knowledge of what is allowed will result in substantial tax savings.