topic Can I get a deduction if I used my personal computer for work essential to my job? in Deductions & credits

Can I get a deduction if I used my personal computer for work essential to my job?

wellthisisnofun — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 00:32:16 GMT

I have a computer that I bought and own (bought before my current job). I now use it for some work that I can't do on my office computer. Does that qualify?

Yes, if you use the computer for your work exclusively, y...

DS30 — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 00:32:17 GMT

Yes, if you use the computer for your work exclusively, you will be able to include the cost of the computer as a job related expense.

If there was a decrease in the value of the computer from the time you bought it to the time is was used exclusively for work, you will need to determine the FMV (if lower than cost) when you started to use if for work and deduct that amount as a business expense.

You would enter the computer FMV as an unreimbursed job-related expense. These are deductible miscellaneous expenses that are subject to a 2% AGI limitation and are only deductible if you itemize.

To enter your job-related expenses as an employee in TurboTax Online or Desktop, please follow these steps:

Once you are in your tax return, click on the “Federal Taxes” tab
Next click on “Deductions and credits”
Next click on "jump to full list" or “I’ll choose what I work on”
Scroll down the screen until to come to the section “Employment Expenses”
Choose "show more", then Job-related expenses and follow the onscreen instructions

Say "yes" to question "Did you have any of these expenses in 2015 for your W-2 income?" under the screen titled "Employment Expenses Related to a W-2".
after about 6 to 10 question screens, you will get to a screen titled "Job-related Expenses" you can put this information here (see screenshot)

So if it isn't exclusively for work I can't deduct it?

wellthisisnofun — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 00:32:18 GMT

So if it isn't exclusively for work I can't deduct it?

Yes but be careful and document your business use of your...

DS30 — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 00:32:20 GMT

Yes but be careful and document your business use of your computer.

Look at this link for more information about a business deduction for a personal use item like a computer:
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/tax-tips/Tax-Deductions-and-Credits/Mobile-Phones--Internet-and-Other-Easy-Tax-Deductions/INF17751.html">https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/tax-tips/Tax-Deductions-and-Credits/Mobile-Phones--Internet-and-Other-Easy-Tax-Deductions/INF17751.html</a>