AboutHelen P. O`Planick, EA Expertise I am a tax professional, with experience in individual taxation. I would prefer not to answer questions about non-resident aliens or corporate taxation. Please do not ask me state related questions, unless the state is Pennsylvania. There are 42 taxing states and 42 TOTALLY different sets of state tax law.
Experience I have been preparing tax returns almost all my life. I have been in professional practice for 25 years and I am enrolled to practice before the Internal Revenue Service.
Organizations National Association of Enrolled Agents
Publications I am a prior Money Magazine Tax Test taker and have been quoted extensively in all media including monthly periodicals and books by tax authorities.
Question QUESTION: As a minister (pastor) i am claiming milage as a business expense is that ok and what would I need for proof in a audit for the irs. I am not reimbursed from the church. and what milige can i claim to and from the church witch most times i stop to visit memebers or pick up things for the church.
ANSWER: Going from home to the church and back again is commuting and not deductible. Business miles are deductible and if you are audited, you will need your mileage log and a letter from your church stating that they do not give a mileage reimbursement.
Helen, EA in PA
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QUESTION: can you tell me what is consider businees miles that I can claim on my individual tax as business expense or if you can tell me were to find a listing of businss expense. i can claim the church do not reimbursemt for any expense.
Answer There is a publication at www.irs.gov specifically for clergy. Just go to www.irs.gov then forms and publications and do a search for clergy. Also look at publication 463 and form 2106.
Remember if you can be reimbursed but do not accept the reimbursement, you have no write off.
