Qualified Non-Personal Use Vehicles
A qualified non-personal use vehicle is any vehicle an employee is not likely to use more than minimally for personal purposes because of its design.
Examples of qualified non-personal use vehicles are:
Vans and Pickup Trucks
A van or a pickup truck is not a qualified non-personal use vehicle unless it has been specially modified so it is not likely to be used more than minimally for personal purposes. The Internal Revenue Service provides the following guidelines a van or pickup truck can meet to be a qualified non-personal use vehicle.
A van with a loaded gross vehicle weight of 14,000 pounds or less qualifies if it is clearly marked with permanently affixed decals, special painting or other advertising associated with the employer's trade, business or function. The van must have a seat for the driver only or the driver and one other person, and either:
A pickup truck with a loaded gross vehicle weight of 14,000 pounds or less qualifies if it is clearly marked with permanently affixed decals, special painting or other advertising associated with the employer's trade, business or function. The pickup truck must be either:
1. Equipped with at least one of the following:
2. Used primarily to transport a particular type of load (other than over the public highways) in a construction, manufacturing, processing, farming, mining, drilling, timbering or other similar operation for which it was specially designed or significantly modified.
Public Safety Officer
A public safety officer is an individual serving a public agency in an official capacity, with or without compensation, as a law enforcement officer, a fire fighter, a chaplain, or as a member of a rescue squad or ambulance crew.
Law Enforcement Officer
In order for an unmarked police vehicle to be classified as a qualified non-personal use vehicle, it must be used by a law enforcement officer.
A law enforcement officer is an individual who is a full-time employee of a governmental unit that is responsible for the prevention or investigation of crime. In addition, the employee must be authorized by law to carry firearms, execute search warrants and make arrests. The employee must regularly carry firearms except when working undercover.
An arson investigator may be considered a law enforcement officer if the
investigator meets the requirements.
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