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Level 1
Apr 15, 2026 7:21 PM UTC
Solved

can i deduct tools and work clothing, work boots?

CAN I DEDUCT WORK TOOLS AND WORK CLOTHES ?
xmasbaby0Answer
Level 15
Apr 15, 2026 7:23 PM UTC

Expert Reviewed

Are you a W-2 employee or are you an independent contractor?

 

 

 

W-2 employees cannot deduct job-related expenses on a federal return.  Job-related expenses were eliminated as a federal deduction for W-2 employees by the tax laws that changed for 2018 and beyond.  Your state tax laws might be different in AL, AR, CA, HI, MN, NY or PA.

 

 

If you are preparing a return for a state that lets you deduct job-related expenses, the information will flow from your federal return  to the state return, so enter it in Federal>Deductions and Credits>Employment Expenses>Job-Related Expenses

 

 

 

 

If you are an independent contractor you enter your business expenses on your Schedule C.

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**

1 reply

xmasbaby0Level 15Answer
Level 15
Apr 15, 2026 7:23 PM UTC

Expert Reviewed

Are you a W-2 employee or are you an independent contractor?

 

 

 

W-2 employees cannot deduct job-related expenses on a federal return.  Job-related expenses were eliminated as a federal deduction for W-2 employees by the tax laws that changed for 2018 and beyond.  Your state tax laws might be different in AL, AR, CA, HI, MN, NY or PA.

 

 

If you are preparing a return for a state that lets you deduct job-related expenses, the information will flow from your federal return  to the state return, so enter it in Federal>Deductions and Credits>Employment Expenses>Job-Related Expenses

 

 

 

 

If you are an independent contractor you enter your business expenses on your Schedule C.

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**