Deductions & credits

Yes, if you itemize deductions you can deduct these expenses as job-related expenses. They won't be fully deductible as they are subject to the 2% rule.

Note: If your certification expenses include expenses for education, the education must either maintain or improve your job skills, or be required by your employer or by law to keep your salary, status, or job. Expenses to learn a new trade or job aren't deductible.

To enter your job-related expenses in TurboTax:

• 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 My Account (top right of your screen).
• Select Tools.
• In the pop-up window, select Topic Search.
• In the search bar, 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, vehicle, assets, etc.) before you reach the Job-Related Expenses screen, where you may enter your licensing fees and certification expenses. (Click the first screenshot below for reference.) Note: If you have any qualified job-related education expenses, enter them on the previous screen, Any Other Expenses?. (Click the second screenshot below for reference.)

Note: If using the TurboTax CD/Download software, you'll use the Find function (instead of "My Account") to search for the topic.