W2 Truck Deivers

[Jaluaa]

If you work for an employer and receive a W2 hourly rate , return home every night can you still use meal expenses for deductions?

[xmasbaby0]

Sorry--no.  W-2 employees cannot deduct job-related expenses on a federal return.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/4482873-which-federal-tax-deductions-have-been-suspended-by-tax-re...

[Jaluaa]

Ok even though TurboTax lead me to fill out a 2106 form line 10

[SusanY1]

Employees in most occupations (workers paid wages reported on Form W-2) are no longer allowed to deduct unreimbursed expenses on their federal tax return, as xmasbaby0 explained. 

The questions remain in TurboTax because some states still allow these deductions, and there are a few exceptions on the federal return as well. Unfortunately, truck drivers are not on the list for the federal exceptions, but perhaps your state will still allow the deduction!

[Jaluaa]

I live in California. Does meal allowance (Per Diem) fall under the same category? 

[MaryK4]

Yes, if you are a W2 employee you can no longer deduct your Per Diem as an Employee Expense on the federal return, but you can deduct on your state return.

@Jaluaa