Taxpayer asks:
I have a quick question regarding tax deductions. My husband and I are both military. I am National Guard and he is active duty National Guard. It was brought to my attention that we can deduct internet service & cell phone service as a deduction under unreimbursed employee expenses.
The justification is that we need a cell phone because we can be called to duty at anytime and that our units have to get a hold of us in case of an emergency. Also, we must maintain an AKO account. This is a military email account for official business. Communication can be transferred this way too. Are we able to deduct these two expenses in full, partial, or not at all?
Thanks for your help!
Taxgirl says:
Again, I think yes so long as you treat both as job-related expenses against income and so long as both qualify as “ordinary and necessary.” It sounds, from your explanation, as if they would qualify.
Remember the primary purpose of both should be for business!
For more information on deductions, read my prior post on the subject.
(NOTE: Post-TCJA, job-related expenses are no longer deductible on Schedule A. Business-related expenses remain deductible on Schedule C.)
Before you go: be sure to read my disclaimer. Remember, I’m a lawyer and we love disclaimers.
If you have a question, here’s how to Ask The Taxgirl.
