Can i deduct test costs for my licensing to become a teacher?

No. Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) that Congress signed into law on December 22, 2017, the unreimbursed employee expenses deduction has been suspended in tax years 2018 through 2025. Furthermore, fees for acquiring or maintaining a license is not a deductible unreimbursed employee expense. 

However, if you are now a teacher that works at least 900 hours in a school that provides K–12 education, you can deduct up to $250 in unreimbursed expenses for books, supplies, and equipment used in the classroom. 

Expenses that are considered common, accepted, and appropriate for your job as an educator count, including:

• Books
• General classroom supplies
• Computer equipment and software
• Other equipment and supplementary materials for classroom use
• Athletic supplies if used in physical education or health class

If you bought PPE, disinfectant, or other supplies, after March 12, 2020, to prevent the spread of COVID-19, those are also deductible this year.

To enter your Educator Expenses in TurboTax, please follow the instructions below:

1. Open (continue) your return in TurboTax Online. 
2. Click My Account (top right of your screen).
3. Select Tax Tools.
4. Select Tools. 
5. In the pop-up window, select Topic Search.
6. In the search bar, type teacher deduction.
7. In the results box, highlight teacher deduction, then click GO.
8. Follow the onscreen instructions.