Can I use business expenses since I live in AL. I'm a welder and worked in VA at 2 different jobs. Stayed in motels, rented a house for 2 months/apartment for 6 months.

[wcb1960_wdb]

I live in AL, but work in VA as a welder on construction jobs. I've worked at 2 different jobs. I've stayed in motels, rented a house for 2 months, and rented an apartment for 6 months because it was cheaper than the motels and quieter. Can I use the money I paid for lodging as business expenses?

[Anita01 · Accepted solution]

If you worked at W-2 jobs and the jobs were each expected to last less than a year and each one did last less then a year, you can deduct these expenses as job-related expenses.  Job related expenses are part of your itemized deductions.  The deductible amount is determined by subtracting 2% of your Adjusted Gross Income for the year from the total of the expenses, but then ALL your itemized expenses need to exceed your standard deduction before you benefit from itemizing.

If you are self-employed, these expenses would be deductible as travel expenses.