You shouldn't have to spend money to make money. However, sometimes you need to purchase items so you can perform your job more effectively. There are different types of work-related expenses. While you may be shelling out a lot of cash for these expenses, you may be able to get some cash back at tax time.
The expenses are known as employee business expenses.
However, you need to itemize your deductions in order to claim employee business expenses. In addition, these expenses need to exceed 2% of your adjusted gross income in order to be deductible.
Some of the most common expenses include:
-Specialized tools and equipment for your trade
-Uniforms and work clothing
-Cell phones, computers, or tablets used for work purposes
-Union dues or trade association fees
-Subscriptions to trade journals and professional publications
-Training costs for improving or maintaining skills
-Expenses related to finding a job within your industry