Legal Question in Tax Law in Illinois

Can I deduct these particular non-reimbursed job expenses?

Hi - I was employed fulltime as a Business Consultant with an Illinois firm. The firm sent me to Atlanta on a project from April08-July08. They reimbursed expenses for Monday-Thursday, including meals, airfare, hotel. However, they did not reimburse expenses if I stayed in Atlanta from Friday to Sunday (no meals or hotel).

I developed some health issues and found it necessary to cut down the frequent round-trip traveling, and stayed in Atlanta for a few weekends. Incidentally, I incurred some expenses (hotel, meals). Can I deduct these expenses on my tax return? I was not in Atlanta for any other reason than for purposes related to my job.


Asked on 2/13/09, 1:20 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Re: Can I deduct these particular non-reimbursed job expenses?

You may be able to deduct some of your expenses if you can show that they were incurred as a convenience to your employer.

However, if you are subject to Alternative Minimum Tax ("AMT"), even if you are able to claim the deduction, you may trigger the AMT, so it may not end up lowering your tax anyway.

Talk to an accountant or tax attorney who can review the particular circumstances with you on these deductions to see if 1) you can take them and 2)whether they will ultimately reduce your tax.

Good luck to you.

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Answered on 2/21/09, 1:07 pm


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