Box 14 for a Flight Attendent

[PPECPA]

Friends, Romans, Countrymen (and women)

I have a first year client who is a flight attendant.  I'm unsure what to do with Box 14.  The W-2 shows the following:

• Other Fringe Benefits,
• TAFB 

I looked this up to the best I can surmise is that is is for informational purposes only and nontaxable.  These amounts reflect work related meals for time away from base. 

So here are my questions:

Is my understanding of this correct in that these categories nontaxable? 

In Lacerte we have an input section in W2 box 14 Other.  Do I need to input this information here?

Thank you, any assistance is greatly appreciated.

PPECPA

[Strongsilence-CPA]

I encourage the history reference...kudos to you!

[Strongsilence-CPA]

Please double check this answer.

1. Box 14 on the W-2 is for informational purposes

• "Other Fringe Benefits" and "TAFB" (Time Away From Base) typically represent nontaxable employer-provided benefits, such as per diem allowances for meals and incidental expenses incurred while away from home on work-related travel.
• These amounts are usually excludable from taxable income under IRC § 274(n) and § 62(a)(2)(A) as employer-provided per diem reimbursements that follow federal per diem rates.

2. Lacerte Treatment

• Since these amounts are for informational purposes only, they do not need to be reported anywhere on the tax return unless you are using them to reconcile deductible expenses for a Schedule C or Form 2106 (Unreimbursed Employee Expenses, which is only applicable for certain categories such as Armed Forces reservists, qualified performing artists, and fee-basis state/local government officials).
• In Lacerte, Box 14 has an input section, but you do not need to enter these items unless the client needs a record of it for other reporting purposes.
• The amounts should not affect taxable wages or AGI unless they were improperly categorized by the employer as taxable compensation.

Next Steps:

1. Confirm that the amounts are employer-provided per diems within the IRS per diem rates.
2. Check the W-2 to ensure these amounts are not included in Box 1 (Wages) or subject to Social Security/Medicare taxes.
3. If they are informational only, no entry is required in Lacerte

[BobKamman]

After about the third time that salutation gets annoying, but I suppose it's appropriate the day after the Ides of March (which also was the 1040 due date before it was moved back a month).  

That information in Box 14 might be useful in states that still allow EBE deductions.  But generally "Box 14" means Hoc potes ignorare.