How do I file my COVID-19 ppe deduction?

[userjenny-phead]

I have filed my 2020 tax return already and afterwards I found out that I can get deductions on personal COVID 19 PPE . Is there a way I can claim that perhaps maybe next year on my tax return?

[xmasbaby0]

It probably will not make a difference.   You can enter PPE supplies as a medical expense--but it is really hard to get a deduction for medical expenses----and then you also need enough itemized deductions to exceed your standard deduction.

MEDICAL EXPENSES

The medical expense deduction has to meet a rather large threshold before it can affect your return. The amount of medical (including dental, vision, etc.)  expenses that will count toward itemization is the amount that is OVER 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. You should only enter the amount that you paid in 2020—do not include any amounts that were covered by insurance or that are still outstanding.  Of course, your medical expenses plus your other itemized deductions still have to exceed your standard deduction before you will see a difference in your tax due or refund.

To enter your medical expenses go to Federal>Deductions and Credits>Medical>Medical Expenses

[LinaJ2020]

You can claim your medical deductions only in the year you spent money on them.  However, these items will benefit you only if you have enough itemized items to deduct and only if the total amount of medical expenses including PPE  exceeds 7.5% of your adjusted gross income.  Otherwise, it will not affect your total refund or tax due. 

Personal protective equipment — such as masks, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes — bought for the “primary purpose” of protection against the coronavirus are considered tax deductible medical expenses. 

I will suggest you may test it through amendment.  Continue to read:

If you have already submitted your tax return, you will have to wait until the IRS either accepts or rejects your return. You cannot return to the program to make any changes before that. 

If your return got rejected for whatever reasons, you can return to the program to add your medical expenses along with other changes.  You do not need an amendment 1040-X.

If your return has been accepted, you will have to amend your return by filing a form 1040X.  You should not try to amend your return until it has been fully processed and you have received your refund or your payment has cleared.

Beginning with the 2019 tax year, you can e-file amended tax returns. If you used TurboTax to prepare Form 1040-X, follow the software's instructions to e-file the amendment.

To see how to amend your taxes, click here: 

Steps to amend in TurboTax

If adding the medical expenses does not change your total refund or tax due, no amendment is needed. 

@userjenny-phead