LEO tax deductions

[Mung]

What do you guys claim or don't claim?

Think it's overboard to claim the 3 guns, ammo, and all the other stuff I don't neccissarily use while on duty?;)
I'm sure, if it came down to it, I could articulate why I needed the 2 Noveskes I bought this year. For training purposes etc. :D

[mmike87]

You really have to explain WHY you wanted a new rifle. If you're genuinely using it for work, you can deduct it. No one is going to say you needed to have bought a cheaper rifle.

You actually don't even have to be using it - it just has to be available for use. Providing you're not using it for personal purposes as well, it's fine. You can purchase a FAX machine for you're home business, and it's still deductable regardless of whether anyone actually ever faxes you.

Even if you are using items for personal use, I believe you can pro-rate it and say it's half for work, and deduct half.

If the item you're trying to deduct is not customarily used for your profession, you may have a harder time.

The rules may be different for deducting things used for work when you're employed by someone else, but that was how it was explained to me when I had my side business.

So if you are using the rifles WHILE on duty, you probably have a deduction. Only using them in your spare time and claiming they are for traning would be a stretch IMO.

But I'm not an accountant.

[iroc_dis]

I'll claim my LMT and everything I've bought for it (rails, grip, duty and target ammo, etc). I've qualed with it through my Dept so I carry it in my trunk.

Same thing with my Glock 26. I carry it as a backup when I work and as concealed carry when I'm off duty. I'll claim the duty and target ammo for it as well.

[Brock Landers]

I tried to write my patrol rifle off but it did not exceed 2% of my gross adjusted income (AGI), so I did not get any deduction. But, if I did get a deduction it would only be a partial deduction. I believe it's the total deductions minus the 2%.

So yeah, if it's work related I'd include all of it and hope it exceeds 2% of the AGI. You can sure as hell bet that next year I'm including everything. Don't forget to include pens, note pads, batteries, etc... used for the job.

And it goes without saying, save your receipts. It's like a police report, if it ain't in the narrative, it didn't happen.

[96GTS]

I write off EVERYTHING. Uniforms, black socks, boots, ammo, guns, paintball gear, range time, dry cleaning, Rockstar (I live on that shit), etc, etc....

Check this out for an idea. He does my taxes...
http://www.policetax.com/deductionsheets/policedeductions011209.doc

If it doesn't go to a .doc file, go here and click on "Law Enforcement Deduction List"
http://www.policetax.com/custom4.html

[andre3k]

I write off EVERYTHING. Uniforms, black socks, boots, ammo, guns, paintball gear, range time, dry cleaning, Rockstar (I live on that shit), etc, etc....

Check this out for an idea. He does my taxes...
http://www.policetax.com/deductionsheets/policedeductions011209.doc

If it doesn't go to a .doc file, go here and click on "Law Enforcement Deduction List"
http://www.policetax.com/custom4.html

+1, My accountant specializes in LEO taxes as well.