You mean I get to deduct the books? (I've always been so precise about job search costs and journals, and any conferences that the school didn't cover... but the books?!)
Mel: Yeah, I'm always putting up new bookshelves. Books are my biggest indulgence. I don't have cable televison, I spend almost nothing on clothes, but books? I cannot resist.
I've always deducted my books and have never had a problem. One year it was about $5,000 worth, and the tax preparer needed some convincing but he finally came around.
I do what seems to fit the guidelines, too. Books, supplies, computers, etc. Now, I have some media critic and pop culture friends who also deduct movies, DVD rentals, the cable bill, and such things (I may try to deduct the broadband connection this year). I say go for it, if it is related to your work.
Aw man, I already filed, and NOW I hear I can deduct books!!!(Assuming it's just work related books, but STILL.) I'm going to hunt down receipts from so far this year.....
Yeah, my accountant-father does my taxes (maybe ridiculous at my age, but he is an accountant and would likely break his heart if I didn't ask him to) and believe me: he leaves no stone unturned in trying to save me money. So you can deduct that you bought for work-purposes, and in my field, I can make a good argument for almost anything print-related. My father, though, doesn't think, as friends' accountants do, that I can write off my home office. He says that because the university does provide me with an office, my decision to (often) work at home is one of convenience and preference rather than need. But I do know academics who write off their home offices (so a percentage of their mortgage/rent, ulitities, etc.), so do what you will . . . .
Cool! Never thought that it's possible to spend that much in books. I just can't compute if this is at all possible with my expenses for the past few years though. Thanks for the info.
13 comments:
Jesus.
You mean I get to deduct the books?
(I've always been so precise about job search costs and journals, and any conferences that the school didn't cover... but the books?!)
Timna
gal.typepad.com
?????
where do you put them all?
i don't think i've spent that much on books in the past ten years all put together.
Timna: Sure, books, postage, office supplies, computer equipment, journal subscriptions, membership fees .... it's all deductible.
Mel: Yeah, I'm always putting up new bookshelves. Books are my biggest indulgence. I don't have cable televison, I spend almost nothing on clothes, but books? I cannot resist.
Professor b: I thought the same thing.
Every year I try to deduct my books, and every year my tax preparer says it isn't deductible.
Do I need a new tax preparer?
I've always deducted my books and have never had a problem. One year it was about $5,000 worth, and the tax preparer needed some convincing but he finally came around.
Rob -- Spouse and I do our own taxes and I think books fit the guidelines. At least the way I read them ....
Or perhaps someday I'll be blogging from prison.
I do what seems to fit the guidelines, too. Books, supplies, computers, etc. Now, I have some media critic and pop culture friends who also deduct movies, DVD rentals, the cable bill, and such things (I may try to deduct the broadband connection this year). I say go for it, if it is related to your work.
Aw man, I already filed, and NOW I hear I can deduct books!!!(Assuming it's just work related books, but STILL.) I'm going to hunt down receipts from so far this year.....
Yeah, my accountant-father does my taxes (maybe ridiculous at my age, but he is an accountant and would likely break his heart if I didn't ask him to) and believe me: he leaves no stone unturned in trying to save me money. So you can deduct that you bought for work-purposes, and in my field, I can make a good argument for almost anything print-related. My father, though, doesn't think, as friends' accountants do, that I can write off my home office. He says that because the university does provide me with an office, my decision to (often) work at home is one of convenience and preference rather than need. But I do know academics who write off their home offices (so a percentage of their mortgage/rent, ulitities, etc.), so do what you will . . . .
ppb, you can refile.
The book total is always a fun one, isn't it?
I have a pretty big technology total too.
Whoa... I'm glad I'm not the only one. Mine was a tad more conservative at $1700.
Cool! Never thought that it's possible to spend that much in books. I just can't compute if this is at all possible with my expenses for the past few years though. Thanks for the info.
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