Still, an extra $1.85 per hour likely covers the cost and more.

that's an extra 30 miles of driving. the federal government reimburses travel expenses at $0.56/mi., so that's a convenient estimate of typical expenses. that works out to $16.8/day. she needs a bit over 9 hours of work to cover that, and that dosen't take taxes into account.

and that's relative to where she already moved *to*. though, why she didn't move even closer to oregon, or actually *into* oregon, it doesn't say....

all things considered, she'd have been better off moving closer to a restaurant in idaho even at the lower pay; or better still, closer to a restaurant in oregon.

"compare 20mi commute for $1.85/hr more vs. 5mi commute. that's an extra 30 miles of driving. the federal government reimburses travel expenses at $0.56/mi., so that's a convenient estimate of typical expenses. that works out to $16.8/day. she needs a bit over 9 hours of work to cover that, and that dosen't take taxes into account."

...on the mileage (say 20 to 30 miles per gallon) her vehicle gets. The federal reimbursement rate isn't a factor. It wouldn't take $16.8 per day to commute 40 miles.

extra miles driven also means more frequent oil changes and repairs, extra risk of damage from accidents, possibly higher insurance rates, etc.

the federal government doesn't reimburse $0.56/mi because they're being generous, they base that on actual studies of typical expenses. true, a waitress is probably on the lower cost end, perhaps driving an older sedan rather than a newer suv, but it's still a good ball park.

perhaps she really is saving a bit even after expenses and taxes, but i can't see it as being all that much.

i maintain that moving closer to a restaurant would have made more of a difference.

When I started working in Maryland, I had sign a form stating that I live in Maryland and not Delaware or Pennsylania. If I did I would still pay Maryland taxes for the Job. I hope she consults a lawyer or tax accountant or she could be in a world of hurt.

then you have to file as well in the state where you live, but they give you a credit for taxes paid to other states.

if that's the case, then it's a lot of paperwork but she probably wouldn't owe taxes in idaho because oregon's tax rates are higher (well, the actual rates are higher, i didn't check all the deductions and exemptions.

it's possible that she would owe idaho taxes on any non-oregon source income, such as interest on savings, but that can't be much at all in her case.

my own experience is from living in new jersey and working in new york. idaho might handle the situation differently.

If you can score a job, you suddenly have no sales taxes and get paid much more, quite a reality shift. Plus, best reason of all, you live in Oregon.

should be building a wall somewhere.