| Author | Message | ||
     Kenney83 |
So here is the situation, I am in the Air force and they paid for me to and a couple other riders on the base to become MSF Rider Coaches. I am also going through the AMC Sport Bike course. The thing is the MSF ERC and the AMC Sport Bike course require you to use your own bike as a demo. Being in Arkansas with the summer time heat getting up to 105+ it can take alot of wear and tear on an air cooled that never gets over 15-20 MPH. My question is do you think it is possible to claim regular maintenance (oil, tires, ect) on my taxes? Not sure how much it would really save, and it is not my primary job, and I don't get paid for the AMC Sport Bike course. Thanks for any help. Kenney | ||
| Slaughter |
I'm not a CPA (and you should talk to yours) - but unless you ONLY use the bike for the courses you teach, you are going to be risking trouble with State and Fed. You really need to talk to your tax preparer/accountant. It is painful sometimes ($$) but it can answer your questions better and your CPA will stand with you at an audit, none of us here will be there for you. | ||
| Whisperstealth |
Understand - I'm not a tax professional. The following is based on my personal experience and understanding of tax code. Yes you can. Is it worth it? Maybe not, unless you want to be an instructor. If you are not itemizing your deductions, and are instead taking the standard deduction, I don't think you will save anything. If you are itemizing, it depends on your tax bracket as to how much you will save. If your in the 15% bracket and you spend $1000 using the bike in a MSF/AMA capacity, you can deduct $1000 off your INCOME, saving about $150.00. If your in a higher bracket you will save more money. Even if you save $300, you have to decide if it's worth it. I would go buy a cheap jap bike to use as a demo were I to do what you're thinking about. Some older water cooled 250-500cc-ish something or other.. And use the XB for when you take a group out on the road. | ||
| Xl1200r |
I don't know that the savings would be worth the trouble. Even if you covered 100 miles during the training (which is being VERY generous), you're about 2% of tires and 3% of an oil change. Tires @ $300 per 5,000 miles (installed) x 2% = $6 Oil change at $70 (???) per 3,000 miles x 3% = $2 So you have a total of $8 in wear, multiplied by the maybe 30% tax rate you'll pay, so you get to take off about $2.40 from your tax bill. HOWEVER... there MAY be a federal mileage rate that your allowed to take (this is motorcycle specific I think), which is around 50.5 cents/mile, I think. Again, multiplied by your tax rate, you're still looking at about $15. | ||
| Dannyd |
If i was you i would keep track of all the miles you put in going to and from the range and the miles put on during the course. those you can deduct but as said only if you itemize. if you do not itemize then you cannot deduct the mileage. | ||
| Greg_e |
Buy a cheap POS for the demo work? Maybe something that will make a nice conversion project like a Suzuki S40? | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
I deduct everything motorcycle related. as a motorcycle coach, I am required to own and operate a motorcycle on a frequent basis.... therefore, anything and everything I buy to keep my bike on the road, safety gear, fuel.... you name it, I deduct it | ||
| Xl1200r |
You can't deduct mileage for a commute, otherwise everyone and their mother would be doing it already. Wolf - the MSF REQUIRES you to own and operate a bike outside of instructing? I find that a stretch. As a tax man, I'd feel the same way. As a citizen who feels overtaxed as it is, I say bravo! I work from home a few days a week, but I don't have a dedicated "home office" and I'm not allowed to deduct anything - space, the electricity I use to run my laptop, etc. I think some of the suggestions here are really stretching/breaking the rules of what's allowed. Or maybe I'm just too naive. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
Wolf - the MSF REQUIRES you to own and operate a bike outside of instructing? I find that a stretch. nope.... State of Ohio | ||
| Court |
>>>I don't get paid for the AMC Sport Bike course. You can only use the deductions to offset income so you may have answered your own question. But . . any and everything is, you understand, is pure speculation based on very limited facts and a variety of folks' interpretation. I'm sure we've seen both ends of the continuum represented. Given the severity of the penalties good advise is warranted. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
(4) Is currently an experienced motorcycle operator, licensed for at least three years preceding the date of the application with a valid motorcycle endorsement and currently rides a motorcycle on a regular basis; I'm with Court on good advice is needed.... so consult with your CPA | ||
| Xl1200r |
Wolf - thanks - I assumed if you were proficient and able to teach, that's all they'd need. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
They would like for us to ride to all of our classes.... but part of our code of conduct, we must wear proper protective gear to and from all Motorcycle Ohio events.... so helmets, gloves, jackets... and so on become tax deductible. I don't go crazy with it but it is a perk that comes along being a instructor.... along with many other things Who do you think the AMA calls when they need people to lead parade laps at Mid Ohio... to be Tire Marshals at the races... not to mention giving the gift of Motorcycling... its one of the most rewarding things I've done | ||
| 2008xb12scg |
Kenny you are asking a world wide web site a question on a state specific thing. A good tax guy, even if you don't make much, is worth every penny. I used to either do my own, or go to H & R block. I went to a guy that I was refered to and he got me back 1100 for the past 3 years that h/r did them. I've been using him for years andit's good to have somebody to emil or call when I need a question answered. Also it's nice to get a call from him telliung me how to get a bigger refund. Just my .02.. | ||
| Greg_e |
Technically, even though the state requires the gear, you should only be able to deduct that percentage that is actually used going to, from, or during a class. Just like that dedicated home office, you can only deduct the actual percentage of floor space and above so if the roof needs to be replaced, you can only deduct the percentage that is above your office. That said you can get away with a lot of things for a very long time, but be careful about it or you'll get hammered for many years of back taxes. The safest thing to do if you are deducting equipment required/needed for work is to have a completely separate set of tools for work and a set for life/hobby. And getting on the internet and broadcasting that you are doing something that might be in a gray area is not a good idea, they may do some research on you before an audit. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
First of all, Kenney, congrats on making the decision to help keep fellow riders safe. Ya done good. Secondly, do consult a tax person for advice. Varies state by state, FL requires you routinely operate a m/c and although I am currently away from my paperwork from when I became a candidate, I recall the question of how many miles I rode a year being a question. Ride safe and always have fun! B. (Message edited by fltwistygirl on June 14, 2011) | ||
| Kenney83 |
The state of Arkansas requires you to currently operate a motorcycle. I thought that I would ask ask of you because I know that there are some Rider Coaches out there.i did planon consulting a tax man. For the AMC course I don't get any additional pay, it is an additional duty that I got. I am not looking to get much back, maybe enough for an oil change or a set of tires. Their was a rumor that the base commander would authorize all 5 of the AMC sport bike coaches a set of tires.but that was just a rumor. In case anyone is wondering what the AMC sporty bike course is it is an advanced riding course for sport bike riders that the air force devolved. | ||
| 2008xb12scg |
it is an additional duty that I got. then I would think that you are getting paid for it as it's part of your duty. But what a cool detail to get. And BTW thanks for your service my sons Airforce too. | ||
| Whisperstealth |
Kenney, I personally would LOVE to be offered the chance to take the courses for free and be a coach. The skills you will learn alone make it worth it. Teaching others is some great icing on the cake, and will make you feel good about doing it. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
Got a PM or two about being a instructor and thought I would post answers here... Just in case someone else is on the fence about becoming a Rider Coach typical class for me is 4 hours in the evening prior to riding. The start time will very depending on what site I am teaching at. Most start times for the evening class will be between 4 to 6 and end about 4 hours later. The riding portion is 12 hours. Typically 6 hours on Saturday and 6 on Sunday. Again, start times very for each location. Most start at 8 AM and you should be done no later than 2 pm. Compensation. On average, I make 19 bucks per hour. So for one class I will get a check for 300 bucks.... this will also very depending on where I am teaching. Some sites pay more because of travel time and so on... I try to get a few classes in south eastern Ohio because the riding to and from is good. I get to see some of my family and I earn a little more.... that's right... I get paid to ride thru the Hocking Hills every now and then  What is the experience like?... First off.. everyone is in the class because they want to be there. Its a nice change from the normal 9-5. Secondly, it is very rewarding to help someone to reach a personal goal.... and for that, I have a short story.... The first class I ever got to teach had 11 female and 1 male rider.... I thought it was going to be a LONG day... I was wrong... women listen better than men... They tend to have more questions at the end of the day and that is just fine with me... I could go into what a beautiful weekend it was and how the sun was shinning with a nice breeze... the smell of spring in the air.. .blah blah blah... but then it wouldn't be a short story. At the end of the weekend. Everyone passed. I started handing out the completion cards when one of the female students began to cry.... not normal crying but sobbing... Being the super sensitive person I am... I had to inquire as to what was wrong... she told me she had terminal cancer and learning to ride was a goal she had set for herself to reach before it was to late..... you just never know who is in your class and why the are there.... learning to ride may not be the only reason like I said before... this is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. | ||
| Whisperstealth |
Wolf:  | ||
| Davegess |
You need to talk with a GOOD tax person. Period end of discussion. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
"this is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done". +1 "What is the experience like?... First off.. everyone is in the class because they want to be there". Every state is a little different. In Florida completing the BRC is the only way to get an endorsement. Overall this is a good thing. However, it also means when squids get picked up while riding unendorsed, and are court ordered to take the class, they sometimes come into the class with a New Hampshire-sized chip on their shoulder. They do not want to be there, the judge makes them. | ||
| Prior |
Wolf, I'll probably be PMing you as well... I've considered doing this for some time, and finally taught machine shop class at a local community college last winter and loved it. Toss in riding, and it's even better! | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
here is a link to Motorcycle Ohio It has a few links that explain what I need to become a instructor here http://www.motorcycle.ohio.gov/instructors.stm | ||
| Xl1200r |
Thanks, Wolf. I've been meaning to look into this for a while now, will get on it and see what the story is for my area. Only one site within 25 miles of me, so oppurtunities may be limited. |
