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Truckers 'should keep a tax toilet log book'
Published: 25 Dec 12 12:05 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/society/20121225-46971.html
Germany's 1.5 million truck drivers should start to keep a 'log book' for the tax office of how often and for how long they go to the toilet, it was reported recently.
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Up until now, drivers had been allocated a €5 daily tax-free expenses allowance and even in March, the federal financial court agreed that this was an acceptable amount.
But tax authorities have decided this was not accurate enough and said that drivers must now keep receipts from overnight stays in car parks and comfort breaks at motorway rest stops.
Income tax experts voiced annoyance at the decision, with Uwe Rauhöft from the NVL – an umbrella group that represents income tax advisors – calling the note-system “a ridiculous, costly process.”
As parking spots tend to be in short supply along Germany's motorways, truckers often park up in privately-run areas that charge around €10 to €15 per night – and generally includes a meal, the paper said. But because there is no tax consideration for this, tax offices often failed to acknowledge them as expenses.
Truck companies also would not pay these costs back, so costs often fell on the driver.
Tax expert Rauhöft suggested that for the system to work, drivers should file what part of a private-company charge was not used on food. But this would mean drivers keeping a "schnitzel book" alongside their toilet log.
The Local/jcw
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Your comments about this article:
Sometimes, drivers have to pay to park in truckstops in populated areas where parking is a premium. These costs are not reimbursed by the company. Only costs on behalf of the company are reimbursed with reciept, like weigh tickets, toll roads, repairs, etc. However, with the tax system, any un-reimbursed business expense can be written off by the employee, like truck washes, parking, meals, etc.
Its nice to know that parking shortages arent only happening in the US.
Sadly, over here alot of guys wont stop, but rather pee into a soda bottle or some other container, and throw it out on the side of the road, leaving a state road worker to pick it up. Some states, like Washington and Oregon and a few others, have deemed it a crime. Improper disposal of a bio-hazardous substance. If caught, the fines are like $1500.
Doctors recommend: One man must go to the toilet 1 time per 1 day I think in the morning or night.
Thus, working as a truck-driver is not so easy and pleasant today anymore and going much harder and harder in every day.
I always thought Germans were methodical, therefor there shouldn't be a problem keeping a diary of all such stops and costs, especially when it involves money in your pocket.
Clearly, the drivers need to get a grip on themselves and their job.