work related moving expense

[camdcama]

Hi Tax Expert,

I moved from CA to MA for a new job in very end of 2020 and stayed in a apartment for a few months in 2021. I visited my home in CA twice and bought a house in 2021. Can I still claim my work related moving expenses (house purchasing, apartment rental, traveling, etc. ) in my 2021 tax return? Thank you.

[xmasbaby0]

Neither job-related for W-2 employees  expenses nor moving expenses can be deducted on your federal tax return.   Those deductions were eliminated by the tax laws that changed for 2018 and beyond.   Some states may allow them as deductions.   Watch for them on your state return.

[camdcama]

Thank you for your quick answer. I am wondering why in the TurboTax Premier, there is still a option in the "deductions and credits" to enter expense for work related moving expense. Is this a different moving expense?

[xmasbaby0]

You can them because information flows from the federal return to the state return.   So if your state has any such deductions the information will flow over to the state.   Only certain active duty members of the military can deduct moving expenses on a federal return.  If you are not in the military you will not be able to deduct anything on your federal return even if your move is work-related.

[TomD8]

Here is a link to MA's rules on deductible moving expenses:

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/moving-expense-deduction

Note that costs associated with a new home purchase or an apartment rental are not deductible as moving expenses.