PITA client of the day

[RitaB]

Guy sitting in parking lot waiting on me to get here. Disappointed when he picked up return yesterday cause they're only getting back $251. OK, wife changed her withholdings and had 1,000 less withheld on same income as last year. He worked, then started drawing SS. 85% taxable.

TP: Why can't I deduct my mileage to work?

I go thru the whole commuting miles thing.

TP: Can I deduct mileage where they sent me to (blah, blah, names EVERY location) after I got to work?

Me: Yes, but your standard deduction right now is 5,000 more than your itemized, so you're going to more than 10,000 miles before they start helping.

TP: Oh, I had that for sure...blah, blah (tells me the locations again).

Me: Well, great! Figure out a number for me, and I'll be happy to do it over.

TP: Now, they paid me mileage on that. (Employer reimbursed him.)

[RoyDaleOne]

Well at least he looked at his return.