I am not self-employed but have business expenses

[stevenmgriffith]

I worked a new job out of town for three months before I moved to the city where my new job is. I was not self-employed. I was on a payroll as an employee. I traveled 300 miles round trip and stayed in extended stay hotels during the work week for three months before I officially moved. I traveled back to my old residence for the weekend. Where do I deduct the travel, lodging and food expenses that I accrued during those three months? Thanks

[AmandaR1 · Accepted solution]

To enter your travel expenses related to employment, you'll enter them as unreimbursed job expenses. Follow the steps listed below to enter.

1. Click 'Take me to my return'
2. Select the 'Federal Taxes' tab and then click the 'Deductions & Credits' tab below it
3. Scroll down to the 'Employee Expenses' section and click the blue hyperlink 'Show more'
4. Click 'Start' or 'Revisit' next to 'Job Expenses for W-2'
5. Next you'll be asked about your 'occupation'. This section will ask about all unreimbursed employee job expenses and you'll be able to enter your travel expenses. [Note: if you already updated this section or some of the questions from this section, you may be on a summary screen and need to click 'Edit' next to the applicable 'Occupation']

Note, job expenses are limited (by 2% of Adjusted Gross Income - AGI a subtotal on your tax return) and an itemized deduction, so you only get benefit from entering these if you itemize and they may not have much of an impact depending on your situation. Enter them in the software to find out.