In the new tax law, can you deduct job search expenses?

[mesquitebean]

You can for 2017 in this year's return.   But apparently not in 2018 with the new tax bill.   See the article at the link I left you in the section below.

[mesquitebean · Accepted solution]

Here's a good article on how all itemized deductions will change for 2018 with the new tax bill.   It looks like all 2% miscellaneous deductions will be gone starting in 2018; i.e., no employee job expenses, no employee job search expense, etc.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2017/12/20/what-your-itemized-deductions-on-schedule-a...

[EDITED:  1/23/2019]

This thread is a year old and more info is available now.    While there are no longer employee job expenses deduction on a Federal Schedule A, there are a few states which may still allow such expenses subject to the 2% rule on the state return.  If you are in one of those states, then filling out that section in the Federal interview (Form 2106) should be ignored by the Form 1040, but still flow to a Miscellaneous Itemized Deductions Worksheet that the state return may still be able to use for such expenses. And also any of the other miscellaneous itemized deductions subject to 2% for which you can find entry.    Here are the known states we were recently made aware of from TurboTax.  I don't know if there are others or not.

Arkansas, California, Hawaii, Iowa, Minnesota and New York

[xmasbaby0]

Thanks for the info @epo39b !

[mesquitebean]

yw!

[mesquitebean]

@gill.jonathan
It looks like you recently viewed this thread since you voted it up.  This is a thread from last year, and is not current.   While there are no longer employee job expenses deduction on a Federal Schedule A, there are a few states which may still allow them on that state's return subject to the 2% rule.   I'll edit the above to mention that there, too.

[xmasbaby0]

Have not seen anything specific about job search expenses mentioned in regard to the new tax laws for 2018 , but since the standard deduction is gong to be nearly doubled, job search expenses will be harder to get.  Job-related expenses have always been a tough itemized deduction to take:

JOB RELATED EXPENSES

Only the amount of job-related expenses that are OVER 2% of your adjusted gross income get added to your list of itemized deductions, which still must exceed your standard deduction in order to make a difference on your return.  This is kind of a hard deduction to get.  If you need to enter these, go to Federal>Deductions and Credits>Employment Expenses>Job-Related Expenses.

[metsfanatic]

Not tough for me this year.  Need to know this answer.

[xmasbaby0]

The tax law does not affect 2017.  Are you currently job-searching?

[VolvoGirl]

Are you asking about this year 2017 return?  Or for next year 2018 return We file in April 2019?  The new tax bill is for 2018 returns not 2017.

[metsfanatic]

Yes.  I am job searching.

[xmasbaby0]

Then enter your job search expenses on your 2017 tax return.  The new tax law will not affect that on your 2017 tax return.

[metsfanatic]

Thanks All!

[xmasbaby0]

You are welcome.  Best of luck with your job search.