Deductions & credits

If you are an employee, you can claim your union dues as a job-related expense if you itemize deductions. Job-related expenses aren't fully deductible as they are subject to the 2% rule.

If you are self-employed, you can enter your union dues as a Schedule C business expense.

To enter your union dues for work performed as an employee (W-2):

• Continue working on your return in TurboTax Online. (If your return isn't open, you'll need to sign in, and click Take me to my return.)
• Click Tax Tools (lower left side of your screen).
• Select Tools.
• In the pop-up window, select Topic Search.
• In the I'm looking for: box, type 2106.
• In the results box, highlight 2106, then click GO.
• You'll land on the page that says Tell us about the occupation you have expenses for. Enter your occupation and click Continue. 
• Continue to answer the questions in this section. You'll go through several sections (home office expenses, vehicle expenses, etc.) before your reach the Job-Related Expenses screen, where you may enter your union dues. (Click the screenshot below for reference.)

Note: If using the TurboTax CD/Download software, you'll use the Find function and the "Jump to" link (instead of "Tax Tools") to search for the topic.