I am a mechanic. I buy a lot of tools for my job. Can I deduct tools for the past 3 years if I haven't used the deduction yet?

[MargaretL · Accepted solution]

No, you cannot deduct tools from prior years, unfortunately. The deduction for expenses is only allowed in the year you paid the expenses. If you paid for some of your tools in 2015 and prior years, those returns would have to be amended to report the tools costs paid in those years.

Here are amending instructions.