What job expenses can a traveling W-2 employee deduct for tax purposes?

Your research is correct. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) suspended the deduction for unreimbursed employee business expenses from 2018 through 2025. Before this change, W-2 employees could deduct these expenses as miscellaneous itemized deductions subject to the 2% AGI floor, but that's no longer available for federal taxes. There are a few exceptions you should know about though. If you're certain job categories (armed forces reservists, qualified performing artists, fee-basis state/local government officials, or educators for K-12), you might still qualify for specific deductions. Teachers, for example, can deduct up to $300 for classroom supplies. The other thing to consider is state taxes - some states still allow these deductions even though the federal government doesn't. So depending on where you live, you might still benefit from tracking those expenses for your state return.

After struggling with similar questions about my work expenses, I found a really helpful resource. Check out https://taxr.ai - it analyzed my specific situation and clarified exactly what I could and couldn't deduct as a W-2 employee who travels. It saved me from making some mistakes based on outdated advice from coworkers. The tool has this feature where you can upload your previous returns and work expense records, and it identifies potential deductions you might have missed, plus explains the current rules that apply to your specific job category. Super helpful since tax laws keep changing!

Just wanted to follow up about that taxr.ai site mentioned earlier. I actually tried it since my situation with all the traveling was so confusing. Turns out I was totally misunderstanding what I could deduct! The analysis showed that while I can't claim most expenses as a W-2 worker, I should've been asking my company to adjust their accountable plan instead. The tool helped me draft a request to our HR department with specific IRS guidelines, and they're now revising our reimbursement policy. Going to save me around $3,200 a year by getting properly reimbursed instead of trying to deduct! Wasn't expecting that solution but it makes way more sense now.

If you're tired of confusion about tax deductions, you might also be tired of trying to reach the IRS with questions. After spending DAYS trying to get through to ask about employee business expenses, I finally used https://claimyr.com and got connected to an IRS agent in about 15 minutes. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c They basically hold your place in line and call you when an agent is ready. The agent I spoke with confirmed everything about W-2 employee expenses that people are mentioning here, but also told me about a special situation for my industry I wouldn't have known about otherwise.

Alright, I need to eat my words about that Claimyr service. After posting my skeptical comment, I was still frustrated with trying to reach the IRS about a notice I received related to my business expenses, so I decided to try it. I'm shocked to say it actually worked exactly as described. After WEEKS of trying to get through the normal way, I was connected to an IRS representative in about 20 minutes. Completely solved my issue with the mysterious tax notice and got confirmation about what business expenses I can and cannot deduct as a W-2 employee who occasionally does 1099 work. Definitely using this again next time I need to talk to the IRS.

Your supervisor is probably thinking about how things worked pre-2018. My dad owns a small business and still gives his employees the same outdated advice about saving receipts. The tax law changes really weren't communicated well to regular people. One thing to consider though - if you ever do any side work as an independent contractor (1099 income), then you absolutely CAN deduct business expenses for THAT work. So if you ever moonlight or do consulting outside your W-2 job, keep those receipts separate and you can deduct expenses related to the 1099 work.

Lol your boss is stuck in 2017! Mine said the same thing and I almost filed wrong because of it. The tax prep software kept asking about "unreimbursed employee expenses" and I entered everything but then got confused when it didn't seem to do anything with that info. Called my cousin who's an accountant and she explained the 2018 changes. Apparently the only real solution is to get your employer to reimburse you directly. My company now has a much better expense policy because so many employees complained after realizing they couldn't deduct stuff anymore.

Your supervisor means well, but they're definitely giving you outdated advice from before the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. As others have mentioned, W-2 employees lost the ability to deduct unreimbursed business expenses in 2018. However, I'd suggest having a conversation with your company about their expense reimbursement policy. Since you're traveling regularly and they're already covering mileage and per diem, they might be willing to expand coverage to include things like safety equipment and protective gear that are genuinely necessary for your job duties. Many employers don't realize how the 2018 tax changes shifted the burden back to companies. What used to be a shared cost (employee pays upfront, gets partial tax benefit) is now entirely on the employee unless the company reimburses. It's worth framing it that way when you approach them - you're not asking for extras, you're asking them to cover legitimate business expenses that employees can no longer write off. Keep those receipts anyway though - you never know if the rules will change again, plus some states still allow these deductions even when federal doesn't.