I have some distressing news for you. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 made significant changes to our tax laws. One of those changes, that will be felt by large numbers of wage earners, is that miscellaneous
deductions subject to the 2% limit, including unreimbursed job expenses
(reported on Form 2106) have been repealed for tax years 2018 – 2025. Affected
deductions include:
- Job-search expenses
- Home office†
- Union dues†
- Work-related travel, mileage,
and transportation (including DOT per diem)†
- Work-related meals,
entertainment, gifts, and lodging†
- Work-related tools and
supplies†
- Specialized clothing or
uniforms†
- Work-related education†
- Investment fees and expenses
- Safe deposit box rental fees
- Depreciation on computers
used for work†
or investments
- Membership in professional
societies†
- Subscriptions to professional
journals or trade magazines†
- Licenses and regulatory fees†
- Malpractice insurance†
- Tax-preparation fees†
- Tax advice fees†
- Educator expenses in excess
of $250
- Appraisal fees for casualty
losses or donations
- Hobby expenses
†Self-employed (Schedule C) filers can
still deduct these business-related expenses, as they have in the past. The
repeal of unreimbursed work-related deductions only affects wage- and
salary-earning employees who don’t own a business or work as a contractor.
