How to add teaching license fee to refund

[mcerrera]

I was told by my state's Dept of Education that the fee I paid for my license fee is refundable. I have no idea how to add it onto my refund. I know that it's a job-related expense, but I have no idea where to go from there.

[SherryM]

Yes, you can deduct license fees for improving/maintaining/renewing your trade.  You can deduct the class fee since the class is for the same trade. Please let me know if you have any other questions.

You can enter the fees for license under Professional, the class fee can be entered under Other Expenses... where you put your own description and an amount.  

Notes:  

• To be deductible, your expenses must be for education that either maintains or improves your job skills, or is required by your employer or by law to keep your salary, status or job. Expenses to learn a new trade or job aren't deductible. 
• As self employed- they are your business expenses; as an employee, they are your Job-related expenses in TurboTax.

[cheriespencer]

I paid to renew my teaching license. Where on the taxes do I put this cost to be deducted? 

[VolvoGirl]

If you are a W2 employee those fees are no longer deductible.  

[cheriespencer]

Are you saying that if I have a teaching job and got a w-2, I cannot deduct the expenses that I paid in order to keep my teaching license current?

[ErnieS0]

Unreimbursed employee expenses such as your license fee, continuing education, and union dues are no longer deductible on your federal tax return. Some states still allow this deduction.

Here’s how to enter your expenses:

1. Type 2106 in Search (magnifying glass) in the top right corner
2. Select Jump to 2106

TurboTax will carry any qualifying expenses to your state return.

If you're an eligible educator, you can deduct up to $300 ($600 if married filing jointly and both spouses are eligible educators, but not more than $300 each) of unreimbursed trade or business expenses. 

Qualified expenses include purchases such as:

• Books and classroom supplies
• Technology and computer software used in the classroom during the process of teaching students

You also may be eligible to claim the Educator Expense Deduction for professional development courses related to teaching that were not reimbursed by your school or by another source.

Learn more from TurboTax at What is the Educator Expense Tax Deduction?

@cheriespencer