what will be a tax write off?

[born_this_way]

Hi i went to a tax advisor yesterday and she told me that only "needed" school items are eligible for tax write off such as tuition, CPR card pymt, medical insurance pymt. My tuition included uniform, shoes, equipment, but I did save gas receipts to clinical and parking fee for clinicals. Also mileage between clinical sites. Do theses count? How gas receipts to school? I had to commute and my uniform needed alteration. Thank you.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

I've never submitted receipts for gas milage. In fact, I believe there is a minimum commute required to be eligible. And even if you met that requirement, the write-off would probably be so tiny as to not even be worth the effort of saving all of those receipts. However, run this past certified tax personnel rather than an anonymous message board.

Things I've claimed on taxes: fees for licensing, fees for CEs, and receipts for work only attire (OR dedicated shoes, since my scrubs are provided by the hospital). That's it as far as work expenses.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Gas receipts for school commuting (even for clinical sites) not generally a deductible expense any more than gas/toll/parking to get to/from work. Did you go to multiple clinical sites in a single day. Only gas/tolls to travel for a second job (clinical rotations off site from school are not equivalent) is potentially deductible.

These are not write offs but deductions whether it has an impact on your tax burden (reduces amt owed vs tax credits which can be refunded even if your tax liability is zero). It's not common for students to earn sufficient income to see a benefit to deducting school expenses.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

Gas receipts for school commuting (even for clinical sites) not generally a deductible expense any more than gas/toll/parking to get to/from work. Did you go to multiple clinical sites in a single day. Only gas/tolls to travel for a second job (clinical rotations off site from school are not equivalent) is potentially deductible.

These are not write offs but deductions whether it has an impact on your tax burden (reduces amt owed vs tax credits which can be refunded even if your tax liability is zero). It's not common for students to earn sufficient income to see a benefit to deducting school expenses.

Correct. You have to have more than the standard deduction to deduct before you itemize your deductions. I never itemized my deductions until I bought my house. I do not think you can deduct miles to/from your clinical site. Any miles connected to your home would not be deductible, as this would be considered your standard commute.