If you pay work-related expenses out of your own pocket, you may be able to deduct them. Employee business expenses are deductible if they are more than 2% of the gross income.
What you should know:
1. They must be needed/ordinary
You can only deduct reimbursed expenses that are ordinary and needed to your job as an employee. This would be something that is common, accepted, and helpful to the business.
2. Here are some examples (but there may be other things not in this list you could also deduct):
- Required work clothes/uniforms not appropriate for everyday use
- Supplies/tools for use on the job
- Business use of a vehicle
- Business meals/entertainment
- Business travel away from your home
- Business use of a home
- Work-related education
3. Educator Expenses
School Teachers who teach grades K-12 may be able to deduct up to $250 of certain expenses paid in 2016. If you are a teacher, you could deduct supplies, books, and other things that you used in the classroom. You would not need to itemize to claim them.
4. Keep your records!
Please keep good records for proof of income and expenses… and be sure not to overlook anything.
