dtownjbrown6262
Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? OHIO
I did a search before posting this question but didnt see my "particular" scenario. It seems that most of the previous posters were 100% independent contractors or operated a "legitimate" home office, neither of which applies to me. So, here goes (deep breath)......
I currently have a full-time job but I'm expecting a baby and will be taking Maternity Leave in July. Ive been looking at alternate means of income since my employer's short-term disability benefit "sucks" (60% of salary for only 5 week). Anyway, I decided to give Mystery Shopping a try to see if it will develop into a lucrative part-time gig for me after I have the baby (I plan on taking full advantage of the 12week FMLA offered in my state). Well, Ive only been "shopping" for a week and Im already confused on mileage. Ive been trying to schedule at least one assignment each day (usually before or after work). My "regular" job is only about 8 miles from my house. Recording the mileage from my very first assignment was really simple because it was right on my way to work. However....the most recent have not been so easy. Ive been doing back-to-back assignments, running errands in between and "squeezing" them in on my lunch break. I bought a mileage log yesterday so keeping track should be easier but Im still not sure what "counts" and what doesnt. For instance, here's a snapshot from today's log:
Now, based on the transportation chart in Publication 463, I know I can not count Trip5 because it's considered a commute. I also know that I can count Trip4, because its from a temp job to my regular job. But what about Trip3 (from one temp job to another temp job, NOT to my regular job) or Trip 2 (from non-home/non-job location to temp job)? And just to make matters even more confusing, what about this scenario - what if I do a "shop" on the weekend when Im off work from my regular job (or during my maternity leave, for that matter)? Can all of the trips be counted, even the ones to AND from my house.....
or should none of them be counted?
WHEW......any takers on this one would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
I did a search before posting this question but didnt see my "particular" scenario. It seems that most of the previous posters were 100% independent contractors or operated a "legitimate" home office, neither of which applies to me. So, here goes (deep breath)......
I currently have a full-time job but I'm expecting a baby and will be taking Maternity Leave in July. Ive been looking at alternate means of income since my employer's short-term disability benefit "sucks" (60% of salary for only 5 week). Anyway, I decided to give Mystery Shopping a try to see if it will develop into a lucrative part-time gig for me after I have the baby (I plan on taking full advantage of the 12week FMLA offered in my state). Well, Ive only been "shopping" for a week and Im already confused on mileage. Ive been trying to schedule at least one assignment each day (usually before or after work). My "regular" job is only about 8 miles from my house. Recording the mileage from my very first assignment was really simple because it was right on my way to work. However....the most recent have not been so easy. Ive been doing back-to-back assignments, running errands in between and "squeezing" them in on my lunch break. I bought a mileage log yesterday so keeping track should be easier but Im still not sure what "counts" and what doesnt. For instance, here's a snapshot from today's log:
Trip1 - origin (home), destination (bank for personal reasons), mileage (3)
Trip2 - origin (bank), destination (bank#2 for mystery shop), mileage (2)
Trip3 - origin (bank#2), destination (mall for mystery shop), mileage (5)
Trip4 - origin (mall), destination (regular job), mileage (11)
Trip5 - origin (regular job), destination (home), mileage (8)
Trip2 - origin (bank), destination (bank#2 for mystery shop), mileage (2)
Trip3 - origin (bank#2), destination (mall for mystery shop), mileage (5)
Trip4 - origin (mall), destination (regular job), mileage (11)
Trip5 - origin (regular job), destination (home), mileage (8)
Now, based on the transportation chart in Publication 463, I know I can not count Trip5 because it's considered a commute. I also know that I can count Trip4, because its from a temp job to my regular job. But what about Trip3 (from one temp job to another temp job, NOT to my regular job) or Trip 2 (from non-home/non-job location to temp job)? And just to make matters even more confusing, what about this scenario - what if I do a "shop" on the weekend when Im off work from my regular job (or during my maternity leave, for that matter)? Can all of the trips be counted, even the ones to AND from my house.....
or should none of them be counted?
WHEW......any takers on this one would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
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