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Tax Expert: Barbara Weltman

Deductions for the unemployed

Q: I'm currently unemployed and looking for a new job. What expenses can I deduct?

A: Deductible job–hunting expenses include the cost of resumes (including typing, printing and postage), telephone calls, outplacement and employment agency fees, and travel to and from interviews. However, in order to write–off these expenses, you must itemize your deductions — job–hunting costs and other miscellaneous expenses are deductible only to the extent they exceed 2% of your adjusted gross income. Caution: The costs of seeking your first job or a job in a new occupation are not deductible. For more information see IRS Publication 529, Miscellaneous Deductions, at www.irs.gov.

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