As DoninGA suggests above, the miscellaneous itemized deduction for job-related expenses has been repealed for most taxpayers.
However, it's still available if you're:
- An Armed Forces reservist
- A qualified performing artist
- A fee-basis state or local government official
- Disabled and have impairment-related expenses
If you meet one of those exceptions, you may have incorrectly entered a screen in TurboTax. Here's how to correct that:
- Open your return in TurboTax
- In TurboTax, search for 2106, then select the Jump to 2106 link
- Answer Yes on the Do you have any employment expenses for W-2 work? screen
- Complete the Tell us about the occupation you have expenses for screen appropriately
- Answer Yes on the Do you have any expenses from one of these professions or situations? screen
- Select the appropriate response on the Does Alistair's [occupation] work involve any of these professions or situations? screen. This is where you tell the program that you meet one of the exceptions described above
- Complete the ensuing screens appropriately
It's worth noting that job-related expenses may be deductible on your state income tax return, even if you're not eligible for the federal tax benefit, so be sure to enter your expenses. The TurboTax program will figure out if you can deduct them on your state return.
