Business travel expenses

[needhelpinustax]

I was working in US on a L1 visa last year and rented an apartment while I was working in US. However, my family (spouse and kids) remained in Ontario, Canada. I commuted every weekend for the whole year. My company did not reimburse me for any of the travel or accommodation expenses. I was not employed by a US company i.e. not self employed.
1. Will I be able to claim job expenses (form 2106) for the vehicle expense, mileages, or lodge on my 1040NR?
2. Will I be able to claim job expenses on my Canadian income tax returns?


Your advice will be greatly appreciated?

[needhelpinustax]

[quote="needhelpinustax"]I was working in US on a L1 visa last year and rented an apartment while I was working in US. However, my family (spouse and kids) remained in Ontario, Canada. I commuted every weekend for the whole year. My company did not reimburse me for any of the travel or accommodation expenses. I was employed by a US company i.e. not self employed.
1. Will I be able to claim job expenses (form 2106) for the vehicle expense, mileages, or lodge on my 1040NR?
2. Will I be able to claim job expenses on my Canadian income tax returns?


Your advice will be greatly appreciated?[/quote]

[nelsona]

1. You might, but it will not be worth it to do so, since

2. No. So saving US tax will not get you anything back over-all.

[bfwireless]

Hi Nelson, This is my first posting and hope that you would not mind to clarify your replying regarding Travel expenses. I am traveling from home (Ottawa) to Detroit for a contract and temporary work with TN visa and back home every 2 weeks. during work, I rent a room and drive my minivan to travel as road runner from one site to another and I paid for evething . In contract with US employer there was not mentioned any detail as required in T2200 and they do not want to sign it since this is for CRA.
I read guide CRA T4044 and chapter 3 for " Employee Earning Salary", and I have questions
1) Am I eligible to claim employment expenses ( CRA form T777)?
2) It mentions in guide " most employees CANNOT claim employment expenses" then who should use T777?
Since this road running expenses has taken more than 1/3 of my salary, I am so worry if CRA won't accept . I much appreciate for your further clarification. Thanks much.

[nelsona]

Your travel expenses, since you are an employee are not deductible.

Your situation is much like a guy working in Toronto when he lives in Sudbury. Your travel is merely going back and forth to work.

Now, if you are NOT an employee (are getting paid by 1099) then your expenses are legit in canada. Trouble is, they may not be in US.

You are paying dearly for leaving your family inOntario, but that is your choice, not the company's.

[nelsona]

... but if you are a contractor in US, ther is a good chance you are not taxable by IRS (you will be by Michigan).

If you are an employee, you should seriously consider shifting to contract.