By Nomad Health for The Gypsy Nurse
Between navigating new units and exploring new cities, your “paperwork” pile probably grew faster than you realized. Taking five minutes to audit your records can be the difference between a massive refund and a massive headache.
5 Tax Tips for Travel Nurses and Allied Health Professionals
Here is your “snackable” guide to locking in your tax savings.
1. The “Tax Home” Stress Test
If you lose your tax home status, those juicy tax-free stipends suddenly become taxable income. Ask yourself:
- Did I pay for my permanent residence every month I was away?
- Do I have proof (utilities, mortgage, lease)?
- Did I return home at least once this year?
If you abandoned your home base to go “full nomad” without a physical tax home, your stipend status might need a pivot.
2. The Paper Trail (Digital Edition)
Don’t hunt for PDFs in April. Create a “Taxes 2025” folder now and drop in:
- Every Contract: Every extension and every original.
- The “Launder” List: Did you pay for professional scrubbing of contaminated gear? Save the receipts.
- Certification Costs: ACLS, PALS, and specialty certs (CCRN, etc.), these are potential deductions.
3. Track the “In-Between” Miles
You likely tracked your commute to the hospital, but did you track the drive from your home state to the assignment?
- Mileage: Log the distance between your tax home and your contract city.
- The Apps: If you haven’t yet, download MileIQ or QTripLog today to automate this for 2026.
4. Watch for the “365 Rule.”
If you stay in one metro area for more than 365 days, that location becomes your new tax home, and your stipends become taxable.
Check your calendar: Have you been in the same city for close to a year? It’s time to move or start withholding taxes.
5. Multi-State Prep
If you worked in three states, you’re filing four tax returns (including your home state).
Action Item: Create a simple 3-column note: State | Dates Worked | Total Gross Pay. Your CPA will treat you like a hero.
The Bottom Line
Tax prep is a drag, but losing your hard-earned clinician pay to avoidable errors is worse. Spend 20 minutes this week gathering your logs so you can start the new year focusing on your next adventure, not your filing cabinet. Want to dive deeper?
Learn more here: Travel Nurse Taxes: What to Track Before Year-End.
Related Reading
Ready to take your next assignment? Visit The Gypsy Nurse job board to find travel nurse and allied health opportunities that fit your lifestyle.
Disclaimer: We’re experts in healthcare staffing, not tax law. Travel nurse taxes are uniquely complex; always consult a tax pro who specializes in the “mobile” lifestyle.
