If I moved to another state for a summer internship and stayed at a hotel for 3 months, can I add this to taxes as rent payment?

[carmikhael17]

I stayed in California in an Extended Stay America hotel for 3 months as if it were an apartment

[LenaH]

No. The nonrefundable renter's credit can only be claimed if you paid rent for at least half the year.

For more information, please see Nonrefundable renter’s credit.

[carmikhael17]

Thank you for your quick reply. Would I be able to put this as a work expense since I was required to move to another state for the position?

[LenaH]

No. On the federal level, the unreimbursed employee expenses deduction has been suspended in tax years 2018 through 2025. However, California did not comply with the federal tax law change so unreimbursed employee expenses are still deductible on your California state return. Expenses that qualify for this deduction are those that are "ordinary and necessary" for work, like uniforms, tools, union dues, licenses, and travel between job sites. Rent (or an extended hotel stay) is not a deductible unreimbursed employee expense.

For more information, please see Can employees deduct any job-related expenses?

@carmikhael17

[carmikhael17]

Thank you, I suppose there is nowhere I can put these expenses in the tax documents.

[ErnieS0]

California does allow you to claim itemized deductions including job expenses if those itemized deductions are higher than your standard deduction. The California standard deduction this year for a single person is $4,803.

California subtracts 2% of your income before it allows you to claim any work expenses towards the itemized deduction amount.

You can try entering your expenses. TurboTax will add them if applicable.

You would not be able to claim any temporary living expenses unless you kept another permanent home while you were temporarily away in California. You may be able to claim other expenses such as travel and mileage.

Here's how to enter work expenses:

• Type "2106" in Search in the upper right
• Select "Jump to 2016"
• Say YES to Do you have any expenses from one of these professions or situations?
• Enter your occupation
• On the screen Does your work involve any of these professions or situations? choose None of these professions or situations apply
• On the screen Do any of these less common situations apply to your Job work? choose None of these apply
• Enter your expenses