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Level 2
November 4, 2023
Question

Can I deduct a portion of my internet expense, computer expense and software expense if I use these items only for tracking and monitoring my investments?

  • November 4, 2023
  • 2 replies
  • 31 views
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2 replies

Level 15
November 4, 2023

No, investment expenses are miscellaneous expenses which were essentially eliminated by tax reform (the TCJA) for tax years 2018-2025.

uz902b74Author
Level 2
November 17, 2023

Thank you for your help 

DoninGA
Level 15
Level 15
November 4, 2023

Investment expenses are not deductible on a federal tax return.  Some states may still have those expenses deductible on a state return.

 

Click on Federal Taxes (Personal using Home & Business)

Click on Deductions & Credits

Click on I'll choose what a work on

Scroll down to Retirement and Investments

On Other Investment Expenses, click on the start or update button

Level 15
November 5, 2023

If you intend to deduct these expenses on a state return, be aware that you need a reliable method of determining which part of your computer and internet costs can be allocated to your investment activities.  In this case, reliable means that it is written down or otherwise fixed into a permanent form (diary, notebook, spreadsheet, etc.), that the records were kept contemporaneously at the time of the activity (not guessed at the night before an audit), and the method of allocating expenses is reasonable.  Is it really true that you use these items only for monitoring your investments?  No Netflix, no email, no internet shopping?

 

Also note, the purchase of software and a computer must generally be deprecated over their useful life (probably 5 years), not expensed all at once.  In some cases you can claim accelerated depreciation, but you must list the purchases as assets, rather than expenses, and let Turbotax tell you if you qualify for accelerated depreciation or to expense the asset.  (Ongoing monthly expenses for internet access can be expensed.)

 

If you claim your computer as an expense (via an expense or depreciation), that may create a taxable event in the future if you sell it, even as used.  For example, if the computer cost $1000 and you claim $700 as a deductible investment expense, your cost basis is now $300.  If you sell the computer for $400, you have $100 of taxable income (depreciation recovery).