Q: Are you allowed to write off commuter costs?
A: “Generally commuting costs are nondeductible for taxpayers,” said Aaron Bloom, a certified public accountant and tax partner at Columbia-based Ribis Jones & Maresca PA.
But, once the trip changes from a personal nature (commuting) to a business purpose, a taxpayer may be able to deduct the costs of transportation.
“An example of this would be stopping at the post office or office supply store on the way to work,” he said.
“That would cause the trip from home to the first stop being nondeductible, and the trip from the first stop to the office would become deductible.”
A taxpayer who operates a business from their primary residence would have the benefit of no commuting and would be able to deduct travel expenses from the time of leaving the house.
