As a technician, can you itemize total tool purchases? Or is it limited to total payments?

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My concern is where the payments now span into tax year 2017.

[Marketstar · Accepted solution]

Yes, you can deduct the total purchase price of your tools.

Tools used for work are an employee business expense.

Employee business expense is a miscellaneous deduction which you can only deduct if you itemize your deductions (medical, mortgage interest, property taxes, charitable deductions, ect) and if the total of your miscellaneous expenses (including employee business expenses) are greater than 2% of your Adjusted Gross Income.

 So, you may not gain a tax benefit for this deduction

 For example, if you itemize your deductions and your Adjusted Gross income is $50,000, 2% would equal $1,000.

You can only deduct the dollar amount that exceeds $1,000.

 When you enter it, TurboTax will give the maximum benefit, if any.

Job-related expenses are reported on Form 2106 (Employee Business Expenses).

To enter employee business expenses:

• Type in 2106 in the search box, top right of your screen, then click the magnifying glass

• Click the jump to 2106 link in the search results.

Follow the prompts and onscreen instructions