Form 2106, titled "Employee Business Expenses," is used by specific categories of employees to claim deductions for job-related expenses. This form is required to be attached to Form 1040, 1040-SR, or 1040-NR. It is available for use by Armed Forces reservists, qualified performing artists, fee-basis state or local government officials, and employees with impairment-related work expenses. The form allows taxpayers to report business expenses and reimbursements received from employers, and then calculate the deductible amount.
Part I: Employee Business Expenses and Reimbursements
Part I of Form 2106 is divided into three steps: entering expenses, entering reimbursements, and calculating deductible expenses.
Step 1: Enter Your Expenses
- Line 1: Qualified Reimbursements – For rural mail carriers employed by the USPS, qualified reimbursements (such as equipment maintenance allowances under a collective bargaining agreement) can be treated as allowable expenses. These reimbursements are not included in income if paid under an accountable plan.
- Line 2: Commuting Expenses – Commuting expenses (travel between home and workplace) are not deductible. Refer to line 15 instructions for the definition of commuting.
- Line 3: Travel Expenses – Enter lodging and transportation expenses for overnight travel away from your tax home. Meals are excluded from this line. For details and limits, refer to Publication 463.
- Line 4: Other Job-Related Expenses – Include expenses such as business gifts, education (tuition, fees, books), trade publications, etc. Do not include educator expenses already deducted on Schedule 1, line 11. Also exclude meals, taxes, or interest. For depreciation or Section 179 deductions, refer to Form 4562. Note: If Line 4 is your only entry, you must be a qualified performing artist, fee-basis government official, or individual with impairment-related work expenses to complete Form 2106.
- Line 5: Meals – Enter allowable meal expenses, including meals while away from home overnight or other business meals. Note: Generally, only 50% of business meal expenses are deductible (as per Section 274).
Step 2: Enter Reimbursements Received From Your Employer
- Line 7: Reimbursements – Enter reimbursements received from your employer for expenses listed in Step 1. Include amounts reported in Form W-2, Box 12, code L. Do not include amounts in Box 1 of Form W-2 unless they were incorrectly reported. Reimbursements under an accountable plan should not be included in Box 1.
Step 3: Figure Expenses To Deduct
- Line 9: Business Meals – Generally, only 50% of business meal expenses are deductible. Meals not separately stated from entertainment are generally nondeductible.
- Line 10: Fee-Basis State or Local Government Official – If you are a qualifying fee-basis official (compensated in whole or in part on a fee basis by a state or political subdivision), you may deduct expenses attributable to your job on Schedule 1 (Form 1040), line 12. These deductions are allowed regardless of whether you itemize deductions.
Source:
Form 2106 - Employee Business Expenses (2025)
Disclaimer: Always verify details with the current Federal or State Department of Revenue Forms and Instructions. Tax laws and regulations may change annually. For complex situations, consult a CPA or tax attorney.