interviewing / job finding expenses (job hunting, employment, apply, interview)

[gardener34]

I am getting really tired of driving to these interviews for nothing - I used a half tank just to go to 3 interviews this week! Can I deduct this expense?

This is getting ridiculous, I have been to 18 interviews... one I drove a significant distance (20+ miles each way) to go there and was in the office literally 5 minutes... the guy acted like he had never even viewed my resume before I walked in the room. I feel like sending them a bill for $12!

[BabyBoomers2]

Welcome to the "world of job hunting/interviewing"! No, there is no deduction for gas expense for looking for a job. As far as the interviewing process goes, "been there" on your anger........I'd get a call from an employer that seen my resume' on a job website and the employer would talk to me like they had never looked at my resume, or, I'd go to an interview and they would talk to me like it was the first time they had seen my resume'. They called me for the interview b/c they had received my resume', reviewed it and wanted to talk to me.......BUT, they act like they had never seen my resume'.......geshhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!

[DCguy03]

actually there is a deduction for job hunting expenses...on your federal tax return! Depending on your tax rate, you'll end up getting about 30% of your expenses back.

I'm no accountant, but I'd suggest at least saving all the receipts, keeping track of mileage, etc. and look it up in the tax code or ask someone that is knowledgeable about taxes.

It can be challenging to job search and interview, but always keep this in mind: if the company treated you poorly during the interview, you wouldn't want to work there anyways. I know that it is tough bc you are spending your time and effort preparing, but stick it out - it is the only way to succeed!

[jwiley]

You can deduct expenses related to your job search.

The ones you want to keep track of are
Agency fees
Resume writer fees/ printing fees
Travel and transportation fees
long distance phone calls


If you keep track of these expenses you can write them off at the end of the year. Here is the pink to the rules from the IRS.

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p529.pdf

also if you pay someone to do your taxes they should be able to help you with this stuff.

[gardener34]

Thanks - right now I am hyperventilating since I found out there is a layover period where you will get NO check - you have to apply for the emergency unemployment compensation and get approved first... Yikes, I hope I can afford the gas to drive to these interviews. Not looking good.

[sinsativ]

Yep, above is right, also clothes, suit and tie etc for interview, dont go overboard, but you can write off some extra stuff if you do it with tact.

[killer2021]

lol no kidding. This doing 2-3 interviews before they give a job is insane.

I am sure glad my car gets high MPG.

[Jesse69]

You are complaining about nothing! I am in Houston and apply for jobs in Indianapolis or Chicago and they want me to come up for an inperson interview and not reimburse that? I have to skip them and say I'd only be hired through a telephone interview! Quit complaining! 20 miles is nothing!