topic Can I deduct my tools (I'm a mechanic) as an employee? in Deductions & credits

Can I deduct my tools (I'm a mechanic) as an employee?

christian-f-ojed — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 11:07:44 GMT

being a mechanic I pay for all my own tools that are strictly used for work. I'm also a w-2 employee. I was wondering if they are deductible

Re: Can I deduct my tools (I'm a mechanic) as an employee?

Bsch4477 — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 04:52:25 GMT

If your income is from a W-2 you can’t deduct your tools.

Re: Can I deduct my tools (I'm a mechanic) as an employee?

xmasbaby0 — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 14:02:29 GMT

Sorry---W-2 employees cannot deduct job-related expenses on a federal return. Job-related expenses were eliminated as a federal deduction for W-2 employees by the tax laws that changed for 2018 and beyond. Your state tax laws might be different in AL, AR, CA, HI, MN, NY or PA.

If you live in a state that lets you deduct job-related expenses, the information will flow from your federal return to the state return, so enter it in Federal>Deductions and Credits>Employment Expenses>Job-Related Expenses