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Home > How I made a $520 profit from Census work mileage reimbursements

How I made a $520 profit from Census work mileage reimbursements

July 25th, 2010 at 02:54 pm

Since the end of July is approaching, I wanted to tally up my year-to-date gross income. I anticipate remaining in the 15% tax bracket ($8,375 to $34,000) this year, and for that reason, I plan on doing a Roth IRA conversion from one of my traditional IRAs. I'll pay a lot less in taxes than if I did a conversion during a year of full employment. Given my normal salary range, I'd likely be in the 25% tax bracket.

So anyway, I can't complete the total gross for 2010 becus I have one more unemployment check coming in this week.

But I was able to tally up the total the Census Bureau reimbursed me for gas mileage from the time I started work in late April through end of July = $751. Because I always track my monthly expenses, I could see that what I actually spent on gas for my Honda during that time was just $231, and that included my usual running around doing errands and grocery shopping when not working, etc.

So I made a net PROFIT of $520 just on mileage reimbursements, on top of my Census wages! Cool!

Looks like my gross YTD income through end of July will be in the vicinity of $16,647 reportable income (with $1,490 of non-reportable income earned through surveys, focus groups and Craig's List sales).

So if my year-end income (mostly unemployment benefits) comes out to about $26,167, and factoring in about $1,900 in investment income (on a par with last year), that means I can do a Roth conversion of just $6,000 if I want to be taxed at 15% on it. I guess if I did a greater amount, that portion that runs over the 15% tax bracket, $34,000, would be taxed at the 25% tax rate. Is that right?

8 Responses to “How I made a $520 profit from Census work mileage reimbursements”

  1. MonkeyMama Says:
    1280066878

    To be fair, reimbursements would also be for wear and tear/maintenance, etc.

    My first job out of college was actually travel intensive. I was still driving the car I paid $1k for at age 16, and eventually replaced it with a car in the $6k range. I made SO MUCH money off mileage reimbursements. You definitely come out ahead if you are getting reimbursed for an older vehicle versus new. Big Grin (For the long run, will have to replace the cars much sooner. Doing these kind of jobs short term is even better. I didn't stay at the job long enough to eat through cars too fast, myself. Clearly, you didn't either!).

    On the taxes, you are correct. Have you looked into the savers credit? You may also be able to put some money in a ROTH, and get a nice credit back. (i.e., put away $2k, and get back $1k?). Just keep it in mind when you do your tax return. I just looked it up and income cutoff was $16k, single. So maybe, you won't qualify, but I am not sure how nailed down 2010 numbers are on this credit. I remember it being a little more generous - we qualified before on much higher income.

  2. PatientSaver Says:
    1280067684

    I was hoping you would read this, MM, cus as our resident CPA I know you always have sage comments.

    As far as how well you make out with the mileage reimbursement, doesn't it have more to do with the fuel efficiency of your vehicle than its age? I know wear and tear is an issue, and actually was a little concerned about the wear and tear on my starter since at every house you stop at, you turn off the engine, talk to the people for 5 minutes or so, and then get in and go to the next house.

    I don't know anything about the saver's credit! I will have to look that up!

  3. PatientSaver Says:
    1280068448

    I checked myself just now and while $16K is the limit if you want the maximum tax credit of 50%, you can still qualify for a partial credit if you make under $27,750.

    Here's a quote from a Merrill Lynch paper on the subject:

    "Based on the contributions you make to a 401(k) plan or other eligible retirement plans, the tax credit ranges from 10% to 50% of each $1 you contribute, up to the first $2,000 you put into the plan."

    I anticipate being right around that income level of $27,000 or so by year's end.

    So between the partial tax credit I MIGHT be eligible for (it would be a $200 tax credit for me) or converting about $6K to a Roth and paying 10% less in taxes to do so (savings of $600), I think the latter would be better, if my math is right.

  4. MonkeyMama Says:
    1280068983

    YEs, fuel efficiency helps. When I was working in 1999 no one was driving gas guzzlers though. Nothing like today! So I just didn't feel like I was making out more than others based on gas mileage. Today, indeed fuel efficiency can vary greatly, and may be the most obvious factor.

    To be clear, I would do the ROTH conversion. Just double check on that when you do your taxes. I am not sure the 2010 figures are set in stone - there was some proposals to increase the credit. (Probably not, but worth a check, come January).

  5. PatientSaver Says:
    1280069128

    Yes, thanks, i will definitely check on the upper income limit in January. You're so smart and sensible!

  6. MonkeyMama Says:
    1280073917

    Oops - my first tax answer was wrong. You had the right tax bracket and everything, but you get to deduct standard deduction (at least) and one exemption to arrive at taxable income. So, take your income, and subtract $9350, to arrive at taxable income. (May subtract more if you itemize?).

    This means you can probably convert more like $15,350 to your ROTH while staying in the 15% bracket.

  7. PatientSaver Says:
    1280082185

    OK, that's even better.

    Well, as long as i have til April 15 2011 to do my Roth IRA conversion i should be ok cus i can figure it all out when i do my taxes.

  8. MonkeyMama Says:
    1280083993

    Actually, you have to do the conversion in the year you claim it. The deadline for a 2010 conversion would be December 31. 2010. I'd probably do the paperwork in mid-December. You should be able to estimate your income more accurately, by then.

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