It\’s tax time again, and as usual, everyone is asking questions.

How about this one: what are the common tax deductible items for Police Officers?

Glad you asked. This article will focus on and summarize the most usual tax deductible items for our men and women in blue.

Are Uniforms Considered a Deductible Item?

Most police officers have a uniform allowance that they are given through their job, but any uniforms they would have to pay for out of pocket should be deductible. This would include boots and special safety shoes, along with the uniform and the maintenance of it.

Are Cell Phones Deductible?

If the officer uses his or her cell phone for business, then the portion that is business-related is certainly deductible. The officer should keep a detailed log of when he used the cell phone, the date, the person called, etc. and should hang onto that log for at least 7 years from the date the tax return is filed, just to be on the safe side.

What About a Home Phone?

It\’s the same as for a cell phone. If the officer uses his or her home phone for business, he needs to keep a detailed log of such use, so that if he or she isn\’t reimbursed for it, it can be deducted on the tax return.

How About Trade Magazines or Subscriptions

Most definitely deductible.

Union Dues?

Absolutely deductible.

What About Courses to Improve Performance?

As long as these courses are not qualifying you for a new trade or business, and simply improving upon the basics that are already there, then these courses would be deductible. They may also be eligible for the Lifetime Learning Credit. This credit is equal to 20 percent of the officer\’s first $10,000 of out-of-pocket qualified tuition and related expenses. The maximum credit allowed would, therefore, be $2,000 subject to adjusted gross income thresholds.

Basically, most items spent out-of-pocket in the regular course of performing your job duties as a police officer should be deductible.

To summarize, the police officer is entitled to a variety of tax deductible items that he or she has paid for out of pocket, in connection with their job. Keeping good records is essential to making sure you get credit for all expenses paid.

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J. September writes about financial matters and the impact they can have on each one of us.