Write Off Your Moving Expenses
Did you know? You may be able to take your moving expenses as a tax deduction. While government regulations are more rigid than they used to be, it is still possible to take deductions if you meet the following criteria:
- Your new employer or employment transfer is at least 50 miles away from your current residence.
- If you did not have a job, your place of employment has to be at least 50 miles away from your current residence.
- Your move must make your work commute shorter than it was prior to the move—not longer.
- If you are serving in the armed forces and received orders for a permanent change of station (PCS) move.
- You’re working full-time, expecting to work at least 39 weeks out of the next 52 weeks even if self-employed.
The required length of time is waived in cases of a new job for members of the armed forces, those transferred by an employer, those who lost a job through no fault of their own, and those returning to the United States from abroad when they retire or their survivors.
Instead of being included in itemized deductions, expenses are deducted directly from your adjusted gross income. You may then take a standard deduction if it’s to your advantage.
Qualified deductions may include:
- Stopping and starting utlitiy service
- Packing and transporting household items
- Mileage for use of your own car or gas and oil expenses
- Tolls and parking fees on the trip to your new home
- Up to 30 days' storage of household items
- Transportation and lodging for yourself and family while traveling to the new home
No longer allowable $3,000 for up to 30 days’ temporary living expenses, house hunting trips and costs of selling an old home and buying a new one.
For most taxpayers, expenses are deductible in the year you paid them, regardless of when you incurred the expenses.
If your employer pays for your move, these payments of qualified moving expenses are excluded from your taxable income and should be noted with a code P in box 12 of your W-2.
Beware some employers pay the cost of items no longer allowed to be deductible, these items include temporary living expenses, house hunting trips, costs of selling a house. These amounts must be included in your taxable income.
Your employer should add them to Box 1 of your W-2. Even if your employer is ignorant of the current standards, you are responsible include the payments in your taxable income and pay taxes on them accordingly.
To deduct your relocation expenses, you’ll use the long Form 1040. You don’t need to itemize any other deductions. The costs are detailed on Form 3903 and the total transferred to line 27 of your return. You don’t need to complete Schedule A, meet any percentage-of-income thresholds or deduction phase-outs.
Any questions about what is deductible and what is not deductible should be referred to a qualified tax professional.
Good luck with your new job and may you have many happy years to come in your new home!
Bob Weibrecht, e-PRO, RRES
Realtor
Coldwell Banker Gundaker
314-852-9566 / 636-461-2000
www.HeyBobStL.com