I am in the military and moved from Okinawa Japan to Harrison, NY last summer. Can I claim the $9,800 we had to pay for a security deposit to get into a house in NY?

[latta-jay]

It seems that would be an unexpected expense that was not covered by the military

[Anita01 · Accepted solution]

The following list, from IRS Publication 521, tells you that security deposits are not a deductible moving expense.

"You can't deduct the following items as moving expenses.

• Any part of the purchase price of your new home.

• Car tags.

• Driver's license.

• Expenses of buying or selling a home (including closing costs, mortgage fees, and points).

• Expenses of entering into or breaking a lease.

• Home improvements to help sell your home.

• Loss on the sale of your home.

• Losses from disposing of memberships in clubs.

• Mortgage penalties.

• Pre-move househunting expenses.

• Real estate taxes.

• Refitting of carpet and draperies.

• Return trips to your former residence.

• Security deposits (including any given up due to the move).

• Storage charges except those incurred in transit and for foreign moves".