The Deductibility of Daily Transportation Expenses To and From Distant Temporary Work Sites

In the Article Professor Rose addresses the uncertainty that has characterized judicial application of Internal Revenue Code provisions to daily transportation expenses to and from distant temporary work sites. Although the Internal Revenue Code disallows deductions for commuting expenses to and from work, transportation expenses between work sites are deductible. The courts have had some difficulty applying these principles to distant temporary work sites. Professor Rose argues that the United States Tax Court in Turner v. Commissioner has fomented much of this confusion.

Although the court reached the correct determination on the facts, its rationale is flawed. According to Professor Rose, the temporary/indefinite test that the courts of appeals use is the appropriate standard for deciding whether these expenses are deductible.