ETR Staff Report

Many people may be unaware that it is possible to deduct some job search expenses on their federal tax return, though you cannot deduct such expenses if you are looking for a job for the first time.

“Even so, this is good information for folks who have lost their job and who spend time updating résumés and attending career fairs,” said Clay Sanford, an IRS spokesman in Dallas.  ”If you are searching for another job this summer, the related expenses could mean some tax breaks when you file a tax return next spring.”

To qualify for a deduction, the expenses must be spent on a job search in your current occupation. You may not deduct expenses incurred while looking for a job in a new occupation.

You can deduct employment and outplacement agency fees you pay cialis benefits while looking for a job in your present occupation, but if your employer pays you back in a later year for employment agency fees, you must include the amount you receive in your gross income up to the amount of your tax benefit in the earlier year.

Amounts spent for preparing and mailing copies of your résumé to prospective employers usually are deductible as long as you are looking for a new job in your present occupation.

If you travel to an area to look for a new job in your present occupation, you may be able to deduct travel expenses to and from the area. You can only deduct the travel expenses if the trip is primarily to look for a new job, and the the amount of time you spend on personal activity compared to the amount of time you spend looking for work is important in determining whether the trip is primarily personal or is primarily to look for a new job.

You cannot deduct job search expenses if there was a substantial break between the end of your last Propecia buy cheap job and the time you begin looking for a new one.

For more information about job search expenses, see IRS Publication 529, Miscellaneous Deductions. This publication is available on IRS.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).