Claiming tools

SchweitzerD — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 03:41:00 GMT

I’ve been offered and have accepted a job as a mechanic. I haven’t started my job yet but am required to buy my own tools. Can I buy my tools now and be able to claim them on next seasons tax return, or do I have to wait until I’ve officially started my new job to be able to itemize my tool expenses?

Re: Claiming tools

Bsch4477 — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 02:19:59 GMT

Are you an employee or an independent contractor?

Re: Claiming tools

PattiF — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 02:22:35 GMT

If you will receive a paycheck with taxes taken out, you are no longer able to deduct tools as an expense on the federal return. There are a few states that still allow employee business expenses. If you will be an independent contractor, then you can deduct your expenses. If you are starting the job in 2023, you can buy the tools now.

The federal return no longer allows a deduction for employee business expenses. There are a few states that still allow these deductions. Alabama, Arkansas, California, Hawaii, Minnesota, New York, and Pennsylvania all provide a deduction for unreimbursed employee business expenses on their respective state income tax returns.

If you live in one of the states that still allow employee business expenses as a deduction, you would enter this in the federal return, and the information will be transferred to your state return.

Here's how to enter the information:

Click on Federal Taxes (Personal using Home and Business)
Click on Deductions and Credits
Click on I'll choose what I work on (if shown)
Scroll down to Employment Expenses
On Job-Related Expenses, click on the start/update button
Once in this section, you can enter union dues and any other employee expenses.

topic Claiming tools in Deductions & credits

Claiming tools

Re: Claiming tools

Re: Claiming tools