Can i deduct buisness/work related expenses from my total NJ income? these were not reimbursed by my employer.

[CarolynM]

Unfortunately, no.

Just as the IRS has eliminated the deduction for job related expenses for W2 earners, so too has New Jersey.

For more information about the deductions you can take, follow this link: 

https://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/njit13.shtml

[sunshine082704]

the state of NJ has this posted in their 1040 instructions...

Meals and/or Lodging. You can exclude meals and/or lodging reported as wages on your W-2 if:
1. The meals and/or lodging were provided on the business premises of your employer; and
2. The meals and/or lodging were provided for the convenience of your employer; and
For lodging only:
3. You were required to accept the lodging as a condition of your employment.
If you exclude the value of meals and/or lodging from your wages, you must enclose a signed statement explaining how you met these
conditions. If you do not enclose the statement, your wages will be changed back to the full amount shown on your W-2.
New Jersey State Police officers cannot exclude food and maintenance payments received as part of their union contract. These payments do not meet the criteria above.

so can i deduct these expenses since i am not union?

[CarolynM]

This provision refers to excluding from income reimbursements made by your employer that increase to your W-2 income. If you were not reimbursed, you are not covered by the above.

You would have to be claiming as an itemized deduction, which is no longer available.