topic Where in TurboTax can I claim expenses on Covid-19 PPE products? Are these items actually deductible? in Deductions & credits

Where in TurboTax can I claim expenses on Covid-19 PPE products? Are these items actually deductible?

chrisconant — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 14:51:39 GMT

Re: Where in TurboTax can I claim expenses on Covid-19 PPE products? Are these items actually ded...

ReneeM7122 — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 20:10:34 GMT

Yes, Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) products can be tax deductible as job-related expenses.

1. Select "Federal Taxes" at the top of the page

2. Select the "Deductions & Credits" sub-tab

3. Scroll down to "Employment Expenses" and select "Show More"

4. Select "Start" next to "Job-Related Expenses"

5. Enter your occupation

6. When you get to the screen titled "Job-Related Expenses" enter the description and amount that you spent on PPE.

Tip: Be sure to save your receipts. If the IRS asks any questions, receipts provide proof that you spent the money on the PPE you are claiming a deduction for.

Re: Where in TurboTax can I claim expenses on Covid-19 PPE products? Are these items actually deductible?

jzawidski — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 02:14:47 GMT

I followed the instructions and got no deduction for the PAPR used in the Covid tent or ER. It cost $1930 to save my life while I was saving others. What gives.

Re: Where in TurboTax can I claim expenses on Covid-19 PPE products? Are these items actually deductible?

Carl — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 02:23:05 GMT

Unless something has changed, and it very well may have for COVID-19, as of 2018 any W-2 job related expenses are no longer deductible through 2026.

Re: Where in TurboTax can I claim expenses on Covid-19 PPE products? Are these items actually deductible?

budlavin11 — Sat, 27 Mar 2021 18:23:14 GMT

I've noticed that as well. However, last night on the news, they made a big deal about the "fact" that PPE would be deductible. No real specifics were provided, so I wonder if it's #fakenews.

Re: Where in TurboTax can I claim expenses on Covid-19 PPE products? Are these items actually ded...

DMarkM1 — Sun, 28 Mar 2021 14:41:16 GMT

Personal Protective Equipment for Covid 19 is an itemized medical deduction. Any out-of-pocket medical expenses that exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income will count toward your schedule A itemized deductions.

Only if your itemized deductions exceed the standard deduction for your filing status will you see a change in your tax refund or taxes owed.

Here is the IRS announcement.

Re: Where in TurboTax can I claim expenses on Covid-19 PPE products? Are these items actually ded...

HtaxPayer — Thu, 13 May 2021 21:26:04 GMT

how about for self-employed?

Re: Where in TurboTax can I claim expenses on Covid-19 PPE products? Are these items actually ded...

BillM223 — Thu, 13 May 2021 21:58:28 GMT

@HtaxPayer

Are you saying that you are working as a contractor in the medical field (EMT, nurse, ER doctor, etc.)?

In this case, PPE could be deducted under Supplies.

If you are not a medical contractor, then you would need to be willing to defend the deduction of the PPE as an "ordinary and necessary" expense for your business.

Re: Where in TurboTax can I claim expenses on Covid-19 PPE products? Are these items actually ded...

HtaxPayer — Thu, 13 May 2021 22:27:50 GMT

thanks.... so as a notary, with face to face contact with clients, seems reasonable, but I guess the guidelines don't cover that...

Re: Where in TurboTax can I claim expenses on Covid-19 PPE products? Are these items actually ded...

BillM223 — Thu, 13 May 2021 22:40:04 GMT

Since all of this is so new, there are a lot of things that aren't covered.

But my argument would be this:

1. As a notary, I have to see people face-to-face (is this true, under the law in your state?)

2. In my state or locality, wearing masks were required for the circumstances (write down what your state or locality dictated).

3. Therefore, since the job required personal contact (indoors?) and the state or locality required masks and other PPE, the expenses are ordinary and necessary.

This is an argument you can make. If you like it, write yourself a small essay about this and put it in your tax file, in case anyone ever asks about your PPE deduction.