Unemployed all 2019; What are some deductions I may be overlooking?

[A11L64]

I know that job-hunting expenses are no longer deductible.  I was unemployed all of 2019 (and my unemployment claim balance had exhausted in late 2018). 

(1) There were a lot of expenses such as sudden repair/replacement of a laptop to paid membership in forums like Linked-In were essential in my job search. Is there any other way to claim a deduction for these?

(2) I attended some online training for advanced computer certification exams (like AWS). Can I deduct this? IRS says tuition is allowed, tutoring is not. Will this qualify?

(3)I would take my former colleagues and associates for lunch to network, typically 2 or 3 of us at a time. Sometimes, I would pick up the tab for a casual lunch. Any deduction allowed for this?

Any other suggestions? 

Thanks very much for your assistance,

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

So sorry for your unfortunate year, but nothing you described is deductible.  If you had no income with tax withheld then you cannot get a tax refund.   The source of a tax refund is the tax you have withheld from your pay which exceeds your tax liability.   In some cases you can receive refundable credits but nothing you told us about in your post would qualify for a refundable credit of any sort.

[paulaandjeffery]

I been unemployed all of 2019 what do I do cornering W2s 

[xmasbaby0]

@paulaandjeffery If you were unemployed for all of 2019, then you will not have a W-2.  A W-2 is issued by an employer.  Did you have some other income you can enter on a tax return?  Unemployment compensation?

[KrisD15]

If you had no income in 2019, you don't need to file. 

If you received unemployment, you will need to file and claim the unemployment. 

If you don't need to file a tax return, but are eligible for the Stimulus Payment, I suggest you register through the IRS non-filer service. 

IRS non-filer link

@paulaandjeffery

[paulaandjeffery]

I dont get disability yet 

[paulaandjeffery]

No I am currently waiting to get disability 

[ThomasM125]

You do not seem to qualify for any tax credits, so you are not required to file a tax return, accept to receive the stimulus check which you should qualify for.