It's tax time again, and if you have been laid off and looking for a new job in Customer Service, then I'm sure that you are looking for any breaks you can get. There is good news though; many of the expenses you have had during your job search are tax deductible. Of course, you should always talk to a financial adviser or tax accountant to get more information before taking advantage of any of these tips, because they would know more about your personal situation and if you qualify to take any of these deductions.
Here are some job search expenses that could be tax-deductible:
- If you have had to pay for your own medical bills, or have been forced to get health insurance on your own, part of those expenses could be tax-deductible.
- Membership to job boards and other career placement services
- Resume writing services
- Travel expenses to and from interviews and other job search related functions
- Phone calls related to your search
- Printing costs and other charges related to preparing your resume
- Childcare while you are looking for a new job
- Moving expenses if you are moving more that 50 miles for a new job
- Education, tuition and fees for classes and training programs may be tax-deductible
- If you freelance, some expenses for your home office may also be deductible, if you dedicate a portion of your home for just business use.
If you find that you owe taxes, and just don't have the money to pay the IRS, don't panic. And certainly don't just delay filing. Even if you file and can only pay a small amount, it is always better to pay the interest on the amount you owe than to deal with the penalties and other fees for not filing. Once you file, you will also have the chance to file for an extension or to arrange a payment plan.
Of course, the best thing to do is to talk to your tax preparer about your specific situation, and have them advise you on which deductions you are qualified to take on your taxes this year.
Are you looking for a job in Customer Service? Be sure to visit CustomerServiceJobs.
By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer for CustomerServiceJobsBlog, along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.
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