Yes, it is an employee business expense. It is subject to a 2% of AGI limitation so you may not see any benefit unless you have other work expenses to add to it. In addition, you must itemize. Your deductions must be over the standard deduction that the IRS gives you automatically based on your filing status.
*The standard deduction for married filing jointly rises to $12,700 for tax year 2017, up $100 from the prior year. For single taxpayers and married individuals filing separately, the standard deduction rises to $6,350 in 2017, up from $6,300 in 2016, and for heads of households, the standard deduction will be $9,350 for tax year 2017, up from $9,300 for tax year 2016.
Job-related expenses are reported on Form 2106 (Employee Business Expenses).
1. Open (continue) your return in TurboTax.
(To do this, sign in to TurboTax and click the orange Take me to my return button.)
2. In the search box, search for 2106 and then click the "Jump to" link in the search results.
3. At the Tell us about the occupation you have expenses for screen, enter your occupation.
4. Click Continue and follow the onscreen instructions.
*Employee Business Expenses are repealed with TCJA as of 1/1/2018.
