I've just moved from Ireland to take a job in VIrgina...what moving expenses can I get

I've just moved from Ireland to take a job in VIrgina...what moving expenses can I get?
Hi...I moved from Ireland to take a job in Virginia. My employer said they would pay up to $2500 moving expenses. I kept all my receipts but am wondering which ones to submit. The company gave me a horribly complicated list of things I could claim for and they have told me it is the standard list that everyone in the country gets but I just want to make sure. Can I claim for the flight over which was around $700? Can I claim for hotels which I stayed in until I secured an apartment? Can I claim for meals? Can I claim for a hire-car which I hired until I got a car of my own? Is there anything else I should eb thinking of? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
United States - 8 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
just claim everything (according to what you can claim) up to $2500..u should get 2500 fully..otherwise you'd be losing out on your money.
2 :
Yes, submit the receipts for all of those things -- they are all expenses you incurred by making the move. If anything isn't in line with the employer's policy, they will let you know.
3 :
Rule of thumb is to turn in any and all receipts. Anything they do not pay for, give the receipts to your accountant when filing for your income tax, as they should be tax deductible. Your accountant will discuss what will be allowed for a deduction with you when you go to file your taxes for 2007.
4 :
You could check with your accounting department or just submit everything and let them sort it out. It's better to apologize for submitting something than not get reimbursed because you didn't submit it.
5 :
flight - yes hotels - yes meals - no car - not unless you are using it for business purposes. If it's just for commuting (driving to and from work), then no. I've attached links to moving expenses and what you can include for deductible expenses.
6 :
Hi Indigo girl, In addition to the answers above, has your employer arranged for tax prep help for 2006? If you plan on being in the U.S. for over a year, you will be able to take a Foreign Earned Income Exclusion and Foreign Tax Credits on your U.S. Return. Note, however, that the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion can only be taken in the year of arrival to the U.S. If your company arranged for you to move here, I would hope that they would be bearing the cost of the tax prep. If not, I would talk to a firm who can prepare your taxes to make sure you get all of the deductions and credits that you can. (And also so you aren't paying double the tax!)
7 :
Can I claim for the flight over which was around $700? Yes Can I claim for hotels which I stayed in until I secured an apartment? No. You can deduct one night lodging at either end of your trip. Can I claim for meals? No Can I claim for a hire-car which I hired until I got a car of my own? No Did you move any of your belongings, as in have them shipped to the US? That is deductible. If you have belongings that you want shipped to you, do it now and submit those receipts as moving expenses. Include not only your air ticket, but your ground transportation to the airport in Ireland, and the cost of your ground transportation to your hotel when you first arrived. More details in this IRS publication http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p521.pdf
8 :
Travel charges --- yes Lodging for temporary quarters until you secured an apartment --- yes Travel for househunting trips --- yes Meals -- I am not sure but may be partly if the expenses are higher than the standard rate. As ninasgramma suggested, you must read the publication no. 521.