I incurred employee expense during business trip in the last quarter of 2005 and didn’t include it in 2005 returns as I was expecting the reimbursement. Since I didn’t get reimbursement for it , I would like to include it as ‘unreimbursed expenses’ in itemized deductions in 2006 tax returns. Is it allowed ?

I work for a community resource agency that assists people in the community with developmental disabilities, mental retardation, etc. They pay me mileage when I meet with clients but I’m curious to know whether I can claim some other aspect of this job’s travel requirements. I already know about deducting food and entertainment expenses and getting %50 so I don’t need any advise about that. I’m also good about the unreimbursed business expenses too like: computer, paper, stuff like that I seem to have a handle on. I purchased a washer and dryer this year – can I deduct that somehow? What about a new TV? What about car parts and the tools I used to replace them? Can you suggest a software that will help me do my taxes with itemized deductions? Thank you ahead of time for your response. Any and all help appreciated even if I said I already know about it!! You might know something that I don’t. ~ Thanks ~

I’ve purchased a new vehicle in October for my Real Estate practice. I bought it specifically because it was needed for my Real Estate career. It will be used primarily for work (90%). If I planned to use the mileage deduction for the first 10 months of the year, what kind of tax deduction can I get for this new car purchase for the other 2 months? Do I skip the mileage deduction and write off the total purchase price of the new vehicle for a one time deduction? Do I only write off 90% of the monthly car payment for the life of the loan? How do I do this? I DO know that I can write this off as a business expense, just not sure how. I’d like to get the biggest deduction THIS year, rather than depreciate it over a few years. It would be in my business expenses (not my families itemized deductions). Also, I’m just filing as self employed; I’m not incorporated. My husband has a normal W-2 taxes taken out kinda job and we file married filing jointly.

I recently filed my taxes and claimed a large number of miles driven for work purposes. I was a delivery driver all last year and thought this was a legitamite tax deduction. My employer paid me minium wage and gave me .00 per delivery. The dollar was reimbursed at the end of each shift. It was not included with my regular pay. The dollar simply covered any gas costs incurred for the shift and did’nt cover any maintenace costs. The I.R.S went along with the deduction , but the State of Alabama sent me a letter yesterday. It stated that I need to provide them with: a letter from your employer verifying that the job expenses claimed on schuedule A, itemized deductions, were incurred in the performance of your job and why you were not reimbursed, cancelled checks and receipts for job expenses, and mileage log indicating, location, number of miles, and the business reason. I can provide a mileage log thats it. I was hoping someone could give me some suggestions.

Winning jackpots means W2-G forms that increase gross adjusted income even if losses can be claimed as itemized deductions. How can I avoid this?

I was told I can itemize on my tax return, which I can, but the standard deduction comes higher than my itemized deductions. The federal worker can itemize too, but they don’t have to! Why the disparity?