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posted Jan 16, 2021 6:02:21 AM

I am a schoolteacher who has been teaching from home since March 2020. Is there any thing I can claim on my taxes in regards to accrued expenses for working from home?

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2 Replies
Level 15
Jan 16, 2021 6:06:24 AM

No. 

If you are a regular W-2 employee, you are no longer (effective 2018) allowed to deduct  job expenses, including a home office.  Even when you were allowed to, it was only an itemized deduction subject to the 2% of AGI threshold.

 

The (up to) $250 educator expense adjustment to income ("above the line" deduction) still applies.  See https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/what-teachers-should-know-about-deducting-out-of-pocket-classroom-expenses#:~:text=Fortunately%2C%20eligible%20educators%20may%20be,and%20file%20a%20joint%20return.

Level 15
Jan 16, 2021 6:20:11 AM

As an educator (W-2 Employee) you can only claim education related expenses up to $250 and only under the Deductions & Credits tab in the Job Related Expenses section specifically for teachers and educators. It's an itemized deduction on SCH A subject to limits. So unless you have an exhorbent amount of other deductions so that your total deductions exceed your standard deduction, it won't make any difference to your tax liability.