Job Search Expenses May be Deductible

 

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IRS Summertime Tax Tip 2015-24, August 26, 2015                                            Español

People often change their job in the summer. If you look for a job in the same line of work, you may be able to deduct some of your job search costs. Here are some key tax facts you should know about if you search for a new job:

  • Same Occupation.  Your expenses must be for a job search in your current line of work. You can’t deduct expenses for a job search in a new occupation.
     
  • Résumé Costs.  You can deduct the cost of preparing and mailing your résumé.
     
  • Travel Expenses.  If you Schedule A, Itemized Deductions. You’ll claim them as a miscellaneous deduction. You can deduct the total miscellaneous deductions that are more than two percent of your adjusted gross income.
     
  • Premium Tax Credit.  If you receive advance payments of the premium tax credit it is important that you report changes in circumstances, such as changes in your income or eligibility for other coverage, to your Health Insurance.
     
  • Marketplace. Other changes that you should report include changes in your family size or address.  Advance payments of the premium tax credit provide financial assistance to help you pay for the insurance you buy through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Reporting changes will help you get the proper type and amount of financial assistance so you can avoid getting too much or too little in advance.

For more on job hunting refer to Publication 529, Miscellaneous Deductions. You can get IRS tax forms and publications on IRS.gov/forms at any time.

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Additional IRS Resources:

IRS YouTube Videos:

  • Job Search Expenses – English | Spanish | ASL
  • What If – English | Spanish | ASL (Obsolete)
  • Premium Tax Credit – English | Spanish | ASL (Obsolete)
  • Premium Tax Credit: Changes in Circumstances – English| Spanish

IRS Podcasts:

  • Premium Tax Credit – English | Spanish (Obsolete)
  • Premium Tax Credit Changes in Circumstances – EnglishMP3 | SpanishMP3


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