Tax write off's for Reservists

[cannondalem600]

Awaiting my secret clearance after signing my contract for the Army Reserves in the Medical Specialist Corps. Even though we are medical people, we still have to qualify twice yearly for the Army Physical Fitness Test and Weapons Qualification.

Checked the IRS website and know I can deduct travel and 50% of meals, uniform that you can't wear off Reserve time, etc.

My question is: Can I write off the cost of weapons purchased to train and practice for qualification? I'll likely pick up a Beretta M9 and possibly an AR. We will not be issued firearms/sidearms for our duties.

Also, if you are active duty and still have to qualify as above, but your job duties don't require the use of a firearm, did you write off the expense of the weapon?

Since this is second "job" defined by the IRS, is this the reasoning this phrase applies: "Deductible employee business expenses generally are miscellaneous itemized deductions subject to the 2% limit".

Or, can you deduct based on Education expenses defined:
Educational Expenses

You can deduct the unreimbursed costs of qualifying work-related education. This is education that meets at least one of the following two tests.

-The education is required by your employer or the law to keep your present salary, status, or job. The required education must serve a bona fide business purpose of your employer.

-The education maintains or improves skills needed in your present work.


Anyone with personal experience chime in and thanks in advance.

[VetteRacer]

Congrats and thanks for joining!

Not sure how things work for Army, but Air Force Reserves my meals are available at the chow hall for free. So no deductions available there.

Travel can only be deducted if its over 100miles.

I would guess NO on weapons being a write-off. They are supplied when required (quals), just not issued TO YOU, kept in armory and shared with everyone else to qual.

Uniforms are supplied, should be no out of pocket expenses. When I need something I visit our supply person and get it.

Education I cant speak of, I'm a slacker! Tuition should be paid for (up to a certain amount).

Matt

[thebloodsonthewall]

You are getting way ahead of yourself. Everyone in the Army is "supposed" to take a APFT every 6 months. Everyone is also supposed to qualify with their primary weapon every 6 months.

You don't need to buy your own weapons, you can only use Army issued weapons on duty. You probably wont have an M9 but you will have an M16 or M4 depending on your unit.

You will be provided with food and I don't know how many miles away it is, but you are supposed to live within a certain radius of your post. I think it is 50 miles.

Instead of looking for tax write-offs, you should be training and getting your affairs squared away.

You are going to be issued uniforms and everything you need. When you deploy you might have to but some small stuff like a flashlight and things but if you try and write those off you are an idiot.

[cannondalem600]

You are getting way ahead of yourself. Everyone in the Army is "supposed" to take a APFT every 6 months. Everyone is also supposed to qualify with their primary weapon every 6 months.

You don't need to buy your own weapons, you can only use Army issued weapons on duty. You probably wont have an M9 but you will have an M16 or M4 depending on your unit.

You will be provided with food and I don't know how many miles away it is, but you are supposed to live within a certain radius of your post. I think it is 50 miles.

Instead of looking for tax write-offs, you should be training and getting your affairs squared away.

You are going to be issued uniforms and everything you need. When you deploy you might have to but some small stuff like a flashlight and things but if you try and write those off you are an idiot.

You may be assuming I didn't think out my situation fully.

I am fully trained in the civilian world and have been doing the job I will be doing in the Army for 18 years. I will likely score >90% on the APFT; gotta be the example since I have people exercise for recovery.

Durable Power of Attorney CHECK
Will/Living will CHECK
Trust and Estate plan CHECK
Life Insurance CHECK

Basically, I want to know if I purchase a pistol for my own practice, can I write it off. I will keep it for my own personal use.

[SGT Loco]

You don't need to buy your own weapons, you can only use Army issued weapons on duty.

I actually think the "weapons for practice" thing is a legitmate idea. I don't hardly even get to see, much less touch or shoot, my weapon between qauls. But seeing as how shooting is a part of, and possibly even a very vital part of my position in the Army, why not write of expenses for it? I like the idea of writing off a rifle and M9 for "educational job related purposes"

[Rob454]

If you get audited the argument can be that since the weapons are actually supplied to you by the government you don't "need" them thus you cannot deduct them. And the IRS doesn't care if they are supplied to you every 6 months to qualify. All they care is if they are supplied to you. how many times is inconsequential to them

Sort of if my company supplies my tools and uniforms then i cant deduct any tools and clothes I buy as work items.

you can try it its worth a shot but if you get audited it may get kicked back.

[docsmileyface]

I write off pretty much all the tactical gear and weapons accessories I buy including any weapon system that is a replica of something I'd use at work - haven't been audited yet.

[SGT Loco]

I write off pretty much all the tactical gear and weapons accessories I buy including any weapon system that is a replica of something I'd use at work - haven't been audited yet.

Does it work out for you? Would you say it's worth it?

[The Director]

I've seen med guys go 2-3 years between quals. No, not supposed to be this way but happens ALL the time. Reserves are the worst for that sort of thing.

[thebloodsonthewall]

You may be assuming I didn't think out my situation fully.

I am fully trained in the civilian world and have been doing the job I will be doing in the Army for 18 years. I will likely score >90% on the APFT; gotta be the example since I have people exercise for recovery.

Durable Power of Attorney CHECK
Will/Living will CHECK
Trust and Estate plan CHECK
Life Insurance CHECK

Basically, I want to know if I purchase a pistol for my own practice, can I write it off. I will keep it for my own personal use.

I'm glad I'm not going through basic with you.


Call a tax professional. A bunch of Army guys could tell you one way or another all day. I don't see it happening. The Army issues you a weapon to use for training and deployments. So why would it be a tax write-off? That is like working for a construction company that supplies your tools. Then you write-off a bunch of tools that are already supplied to you for practice at home.

[docsmileyface]

Does it work out for you? Would you say it's worth it?

Dude I buy a ton of gear, guns, ammo, and optics I don't need each year, definitely worth saving your receipts and claiming them on your taxes

[SGT Loco]

The Army issues you a weapon to use for training and deployments. So why would it be a tax write-off? That is like working for a construction company that supplies your tools. Then you write-off a bunch of tools that are already supplied to you for practice at home.

Deployments yes. I dunno about active, but as a guardsman I hardly ever see a weapon, not enough to practice with between qauls. Really, its like working for a company that requires proficiency in... whatever, lets call it programming, but hardly ever lets you program anything, doesn't really ever let you practice programming on company time, but still expects you to stay proficient at it if you want to get promotions and stay out of trouble. Buying a computer and programming things to stay sharp isn't really a stretch of the imagination.

Plus, I really want a mag well grip and some pmags....

[Uriah02]

Basically, I want to know if I purchase a pistol for my own practice, can I write it off. I will keep it for my own personal use.

At the very least you would need your commander's approval to use it as a write off for taxes. Even still the chances of that standing against being auditted... I'd vote no.

[thebloodsonthewall]

I am active. I have shot my weapon on the range maybe 3 times outside of basic and I scored a 39 out of 40 a few weeks ago. It is not hard. steady position, good sight picture that doesn't change, breath in let half out, squeeze the trigger, follow through, let the trigger out until it resets and do it again.

Just practice doing that while you zero. Your NCO's wont consider you zeroed until you have a good shot group. So take your time zeroing and you will be fine.

Shooting an M4/M16 is not like programming a computer. It is very very basic. You do not need to practice much at all to be able to qualify. You can practice by dry firing your weapon.

[CavTrooper]

Deployments yes. I dunno about active, but as a guardsman I hardly ever see a weapon, not enough to practice with between qauls. Really, its like working for a company that requires proficiency in... whatever, lets call it programming, but hardly ever lets you program anything, doesn't really ever let you practice programming on company time, but still expects you to stay proficient at it if you want to get promotions and stay out of trouble. Buying a computer and programming things to stay sharp isn't really a stretch of the imagination.

Plus, I really want a mag well grip and some pmags....

Sounds like a failure of your leadership.

Have them guys schedule some range time!