Tax deductible?

[Imaginary]

Does anyone know if app fees, etc. are tax deductible?

[ratlab]

They unfortunately aren't.

[Guest |||]

Sorry, spinning the funding roulette wheel is sadly on us for cost.

[rockwell_]

If you get paid as a TA...

Can a move be 'Relocating for work'?

 

or where can we get any ground,  something has to be grey or close enough to claim..

 

Ideas, experiences?

[TakeruK]

If you get paid as a TA...

Can a move be 'Relocating for work'?

 

or where can we get any ground,  something has to be grey or close enough to claim..

 

Ideas, experiences?

 

Not usually, I think. Here is what the IRS has to say about claiming relocation expenses: (http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc455.html) and http://www.irs.gov/publications/p521/ar02.html

 

Basically, the main problem is that unless you are employed "full time" for 39 weeks, you can't deduct moving expenses. Maybe I read it wrong though. I don't think most TAships count as full time employment, and 39 weeks usually means you would be a full time TA in the summer too.

However, if you have a full time  year-long RA ship, then it might work? I am not sure if RAs count as employees in your school, and whether or not the IRS will consider you as an employee. 

 

Here is a questionnaire you can fill out to figure out what expenses are okay to deduct: http://www.irs.gov/uac/Can-I-Deduct-My-Moving-Expenses%3F

 

Finally, for international students, check out what your home government tax laws for relocation expenses are. You might be able to claim tax credits from your home government if you can't claim them with the IRS. For Canada though, while I think I could claim such expenses, I can only apply those moving tax credits against any income taxed by the Canadian government while in my new location. Since I don't pay taxes to Canada for my US income, there is nothing I could reclaim! But everyone's situation may be different.

Edited January 8, 2014 by TakeruK