I am a security guard full-time. I am required to have updated training, licensing, equipment that I pay for outofpocket. Can I submit these expenses on my tax return?

-W-2 employees cannot deduct job-related expenses on a federal return.  Job-related expenses were eliminated as a federal deduction for W-2 employees by the tax laws that changed for 2018 and beyond.  Your state tax laws might be different in AL, AR, CA, HI, MN, NY or PA.

 

 

If you live in a state that lets you deduct job-related expenses, the information will flow from your federal return  to the state return, so enter it in Federal>Deductions and Credits>Employment Expenses>Job-Related Expenses

 

 

 

If you are an independent contractor, your business expenses go on a Schedule C when you prepare a return for self-employment income.