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[tefaelrewesh]

I added more details to clarify the situation further. I have heard mixed answers from multiple accountants, some said yes as long as I maintained a permanent tax home and the assignment was less than one year. Others said I simply can't.

[ToddL · Accepted solution]

Edited 04/03/17 at 0554 PT.

If you are itemizing deductions, you can claim the cost of temporary housing, meals and travel as unreimbursed employee business expenses. Only the amount in excess of 2% of your AGI will count as a deduction.

The following IRS publication provides detailed explanation and examples for how to calculate these costs. 

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p463.pdf

[tax5376]

Couldn't the internship in CA be considered as a "Temporary Assignment or Job" (IRS Publication 463), in which case the mentioned expenses would be deductible "travel expenses"?

[ToddL]

Yes indeed. Thanks!

[tefaelrewesh]

Thank you!