Job-hunting expenses are tax deductible even if you haven't found a position at the end.
You can claim the expenses in the Job-Related Expenses section. They are part of your itemized deductions:
1. Federal Taxes
2. Deductions & Credits, Jump
To Full List
3. Scroll down to Employment Expenses
4. Select Job-Related Expenses
Note: The expenses are subject to 2% of Adjusted Gross
Income (AGI) - only the amount that exceeds the 2% of AGI threshold is actually
deducted. If you are not itemizing (have mortgage interest, real estate tax, charitable contributions etc.) the job hunting expenses will not make a difference on your tax refund.
The expense include:
a. Employment and outplacement agency fees.
b. Amounts you spend for preparation and mailing
copies of a resume.
c. Travel expenses if the trip is primarily to
look for a new job.
For more information, please refer to the IRS publication 529.