Tax Deductions for Secretaries
Secretaries are responsible for keeping everyone else's schedule and job responsibilities organized and on track. When tax time rolls around, anyone who works as a secretary has to put their own needs on the front burner in order to file their tax return correctly. No matter what your job title is, secretary, administrative assistant, or data entry clerk, you can expect to receive a Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement from your employer. This statement will list your total income and tax withholdings.
If you have incurred expenses as a secretary, you may be able to reduce your tax liability by claiming deductions for those expenses. You'll need to keep receipts for all expenses, to serve as proof. Many secretaries are able to deduct the following expenses on their tax return:
- Paid subscriptions to trade publications or journals for your industry
- Amounts paid to professional organizations
- Flat rate occupational taxes and licensing costs, as long as they are not for the initial certification
- Job-related equipment or supplies
All expenses incurred must not have been reimbursed by any other party or your employer. Secretaries can deduct these expenses on a Schedule A, Miscellaneous Itemized Deductions.
Educational training can be deducted only if it meets specific requirements. Refresher courses, current development classes, and vocational courses generally meet the requirements. If the class does not specifically related to your profession, or it qualifies you for another career or position, then it will not be deductible. Also, if the course is required to help you meet minimum certifications for your job, then you can't deduct the educational expenses.
