11.21.13
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Talking Taxes: The “Abandonment” Issue Regarding Tax Homes, Part 2

The Tax Home “Abandonment” Issue In last month’s installment, we explored a relatively new rule some agencies impose after a traveler has worked 2 years of assignments, requiring the traveler to return home for 45 days. In some cases the traveler is required to work at home during the 45 day period before returning to travel. As we mentioned, there are variations of the rule, but in all of them, a substantial visit to home is required after two years of service. Where did this come from? For some, this may be a boring trip through the history of tax legislation, but for those of us who like to know “why” as well as “what”, understanding the rationale of a regulation is very insightful. Before 1992, back when I traveled (I’m dating myself obviously), there was no “one year rule” that limited an assignment in one geographical area before the per diems / reimbursements became taxable. Before 1992, one was not allowed to be away from home longer than a year regardless of location. There was a “rebuttable presumption” that any work away from home longer than a year was either permanent or caused the taxpayer to be treated as an itinerant (no tax home). The one year presumption could be overcome (rebut the presumption) if the taxpayer could provide evidence that they would return home permanently before the end of 2 years. Any series of assignments away from home more than 2 years, regardless of location, would cause the […]

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11.20.13
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MTV Responds to “Scrubbing In” Controversy

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scrubbing_in_1500-1024x920When MTV announced it was doing a reality show based around travel nurses, RNs everywhere waited with bated breath to see how the industry would be portrayed. Some took a stand against “Scrubbing In” before it even premiered, others waited to see it in action. Either way the majority of nurses were very against the show and what they saw as a negative portrayal of travel nurses. A Change.org petition to cancel the show was forged (as of this post it had more than 30,000 signatures) and as the episodes rolled out, the criticisms from nurse groups and nurse leaders mounted. Travel Nursing Blogs followed the run-up to the show’s premiere, eventually deciding to stop covering it and releasing this statement.

While MTV has not elected to cancel the show, we’ve just read that MTV responded to the “Scrubbing In” controversy by reaching out to The Truth About Nursing (TTAN). In a November 16 blog, TTAN says that in response to collective efforts to cancel or improve the show and a letter from TTAN, “MTV reached out to The Truth About Nursing to engage in extensive discussions about how to ameliorate the situation. MTV has agreed to take several helpful steps, including airing the show at a less prominent time, some re-editing of episodes, and other efforts to convey accurate information about nursing, although the last six episodes will air.”

The other efforts are expected to include an MTV blog post on what it takes to become a nurse, creating a “Day in the Life of a Nurse” MTV website feature, and continuing to consult with nurse-affiliated groups such as TTAN.

TTAN’s post thanks all the nurses who reached out to MTV execs and worked to combat the negative portrayal of travel nurses, adding, “MTV executives reached out to the Truth after receiving our letter and we engaged in lengthy discussion. They were unusually open to hearing our concerns about the links between the stereotypes, the undervaluation of nursing, and the underfunding of nursing practice and education. Our main executive contact was disturbed that there was such a strong and unanimous condemnation of ‘Scrubbing In’ by nurses, calling it an ‘eye-opening experience’ for MTV.”

While TTAN acknowledges this outcome is not what they’d consider ideal, they also assert that it is a major step in the right direction.

What’s your take on the way MTV has responded to the “Scrubbing In” controversy? And have you been watching “Scrubbing In”?