Truck drivers may qualify for tax deductions for meals under the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) rules governing travel away from home. To be eligible, it must be necessary for the driver to stop for “substantial sleep or rest” while traveling away from home. The meals also cannot be deducted if they are overly expensive or extravagant or if the meal costs have been reimbursed by the company. There are two basic methods for taking tax deductions: actual cost and standard meal allowance. Truck drivers qualify for special consideration within these deductions.

Fifty Percent Limit
The first method for claiming a tax deduction is by calculating the actual cost of meals. Typically, people may only deduct up to 50 percent of their unreimbursed cost for meals. If a company does not reimburse for meals at all, that would be 50 percent of the total cost. Otherwise, an employee can only claim a deduction for half of the amount paid personally. Any meals that are covered by a company are not eligible for tax deductions.

Standard Meal Allowance Rules
The second method for taking a tax deduction is through the use of the Standard Meal Allowance. Under this method, a driver has an average set amount for daily meals and incidental expenses. Instead of charting actual costs, a driver keeps a record of dates, places, and times of travel and can deduct a set amount based on the length and destination of the business trip. However, a driver can only take a meal allowance for unreimbursed meals. If a company pays for the meals, a driver is not allowed to take the standard meal allowance deduction on her taxes.

Standard Meal Allowance Rates
Truck drivers and other transportation employees have their own rates for reimbursement under the IRS code, and they are higher than those for other employees. In 2009, drivers are able to claim a standard meal allowance of $52 for each day of travel within the continental United States ($58 outside) from January 1 through September 30. The rate rises to $59 a day ($65 outside of the continental United States) from October 1 through December 31. These rates are re-evaluated yearly. To claim the deduction, a truck driver subtracts eligible allowances from his taxable income at the end of the year.

Beginning and End of Trip
For the first and last day of a trip, a truck driver must pro-rate her allowance using one of two methods. The first method allows an employee to claim 75 percent of the standard meal allowance. The second is to use any method that is consistent and reasonable under standard business rules. A driver cannot claim beginning and end-of-trip meal costs as a tax deduction if they are reimbursed by her company.

A freight train struck a garbage truck in Wright County shortly before dawn Tuesday, and the truck driver was taken from the scene by air ambulance, authorities said.

The eastbound Canadian Pacific train collided with the truck about 6:30 a.m. at 5th Street SE. in Rockford Township, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

The driver was taken to Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids, and “we are being told that he is in stable condition,” Sheriff’s Capt. Greg Howell said. No crew members were hurt.

The 119-car train was heading into the Twin Cities from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, and remained at the scene for several hours while investigators collected evidence, Canadian Pacific spokesman Ed Greenberg said. No cars derailed and none had hazardous materials, Greenberg added.

The train’s crew spotted the truck but could not avoid a collision. “It takes a mile or more to come to a complete stop,” Greenberg said.

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While a nice crock pot filled with vegetables, potatoes and chunks of turkey would be a fantastic healthy meal, truck drivers do not get this luxury. They must cope without ovens, blenders, freezers, and many amenities other people use without much thought. In addition, truck drivers are relegated to whatever food happens to await them at a certain mile marker, making food choices very limited. As such, they must be very smart about food preparation on the road in order to stay healthy.

Make smart choices at pit stops
During late hours, fast food chains may be the only option. Chains that offer the most variety of healthy foods are Subway and Quiznos. At sandwich chains, opt for turkey and lean cuts of meat over salami and meatballs. Given the choice between beef or chicken, opt for grilled chicken. Taco Bell’s fresco menu has many popular items like tacos and burritos for fewer calories and fat.

For sides and condiments, skip the mayo and use mustard or ketchup instead. Avoid French fries and ask for sides of fruit or vegetables if available.”How to Buy And Sell Just About Everything” recommends getting junior meals instead of the largest meal, and choosing unsweetened beverages like iced tea, water, or half-lemonade half-water.
Healthy choices at gas stations are sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, bananas, and power bars. Skip the soda and get water.
Making a quick detour to a grocery store is the best possible option. Grocery stores provide fruit, vegetables, salads, soup, juice and sandwiches. Stores also provide healthier alternatives to common snack foods, like dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate, as well as baked potato chips instead of regular potato chips.

Pack healthy portable snacks
To curtail cravings on the road, trail mix is a great snack. The book “Perricone Weight Loss Diet” mentions that nuts keep you satiated, but also offer healthy fats and minerals like selenium and magnesium. Raisins provide a sugar boost, which can spike energy levels without causing a sugar crash. Steer clear of trail mix with crystallized fruit; such fruit is loaded with refined sugars. In the book “Lick the Sugar Habit,” author Nancy Appleton explains that refined sugars (table sugar) can contribute to diabetes, constipation and can suppress the immune system. For this reason, abstain from eating too many candy bars or sugar-candy like
Skittles and taffy.Many truckers eat out of sheer boredom. If this is you, pack carrot sticks, celery, and cucumber. These foods are low in calories, but take a long time to chew. Otherwise, chew on gum.

If possible, invest in a refrigerator and microwave
Few trucks provide refrigerators. Getting a dorm room sized refrigerator will enable you to keep produce at a cool temperature, which will make the food last longer (and likely tastier, as few enjoy the taste of a warm apple subjected to humidity).

A microwave allows truckers to make soup quickly and easily, especially since many soups no longer require a can opener. Choose broth-based soups, as they have fewer calories and fat than cream-based soups. If possible, pay a little extra for soup that isn’t instant noodles. Instant noodles are laden with preservatives, MSG, high in fat and calories, and provide little nutrition. Look for soups high in fiber and veggies, like minestrone or black bean soup.

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