Hello:

I am a J1 and arrived with my family to the US in September 2007 to work as full time research scholar until next September. Since I paid plane tickets (2200USD) from South America, rent car, lodging (first day) and fees for overweight lugage (58USD), I think I fulfill the 3 conditions to adjust my income with my moving expenses. My University paid the licence for CINTAX but when I used it, the software did not allowed me to include my moving expenses. According to it, I had to be working 39 weeks by December 2007, to be able to deduct these expenses. Are they right?

My other question is: do I have to send all my flight tickets with my filed taxes?

Thanks a lot for your help.

Ric

I don't believe moving expenses are tax deductible if it was something you chose to do, like going to university, especially if you came here on a visa from another country.. I could be wrong though.

Certain moving expenses are deductible as long as they are associated with a change in jobs and you meet the time and distance tests. The 39 week test is simply that you intend to work for 39 weeks within the first 12 months - you meet that as you plan on being at your job for a year. I don't know why your program won't let you deduct the costs - I know TurboTax does. Here is a quote on this topic from the IRS, which I found here:

From Moving Expenses Related to a New Job May Be Tax Deductible :

You can deduct your moving expenses on your tax return even though you have not met the time test by the date your return is due if you expect to meet the 39-week ... as required.

You do not need to send any receipts with your tax return, but keep them in case the IRS asks questions later.

Hi again:

I also read thoroughly publication 521 from the IRS and found the same as you said. I do not understand either, but Ok I will fill the forms myself. Thanks for your reply.

Ricard