Resolved Question: taxing me for take home vehicle?

31/03/11

i work for a small city in salt lake county, utah. i am one of two animal control officers for this city. part of my job description is to respond to after hour emergency calls. the city has provided a vehicle for me to take home.
the other officer and i alternate every two weeks. so, i am on call for two weeks, she is on call for two weeks. we just learned we are being taxed on 3.00 for each day we take the vehicle home. i guess that averages 12cents a day.
i used to work for another, larger, agency where we had 15 officers. we were not taxed, the other agencies within the same county are not taxed for their take home vehicles, either.
i was told this is a “luxury” and the IRS told my employer (the city i work for) they have to start taxing us when we take home our vehicle. we do not take home a vehicle when we are not on call.
this “luxury tax” has been in effect for a few months now (it was nice of them to let us know). they charge the same for the streets, parks, and anyone else who takes vehicles home who are on call.

i tried searching the IRS website for anything on this “luxury tax” but didn’t find much and, i need it explained in layman’s terms, please.

i’ve never heard of this, can someone please explain how this works (i have tried contacting HR but no answer yet)

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