Are Job Hunting Expenses Tax Deductible?

Short answer: Nope – sorry no.

Job hunting expenses are currently not tax-deductible for federal taxes. This change came into effect due to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017, which suspended the deduction for job search expenses from 2018 through 2025. This means that costs related to resume preparation, travel for interviews, and employment agency fees cannot be deducted on your federal tax return during this period.

However, there are a few exceptions, such as for active-duty military personnel who can still deduct certain moving expenses if they are required by a permanent change of station (PCS) orders.

For more detailed information, you can refer to the following sources:

1. IRS – What if I am searching for a job?

2. Jackson Hewitt – Changes to Job-Search Deductions

3. 20somethingfinance – Can you Deduct Job Search Expenses?