Iowa Admin. Code r. 701—302.31(422) — Away-from-home expenses of state legislators

For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 1987, state legislators whose personal residences in their legislative districts are more than 50 miles from the state capitol may claim the same deductions for away-from-home expenses as are allowed on their federal income tax returns under Section 162(h)(1)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code. These individuals may claim deductions for meals and lodging per “legislative day” in the amount of per diem allowance for federal employees in effect for the tax year. The portion of this per diem allowance which is equal to the daily expense allowance authorized for state legislators in Iowa Code section 2.10 may be claimed as an adjustment to income. The balance of the per diem allowance for federal employees must be allocated between lodging expenses and meal expenses and is deductible as a miscellaneous itemized deduction. However, only 50 percent of the amount attributable to meal expenses may be deducted for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 1994. State legislators whose personal residences in their legislative districts are 50 miles or less from the state capitol may claim a deduction for meals and lodging of $50 per “legislative day.” However, in lieu of either of the deduction methods previously described in this rule, any state legislator may elect to itemize adjustments to income for amounts incurred for meals and lodging for the “legislative days” of the state legislator.