Can I write off military items on my taxes?

Question

I'm in the military and I'm allowed to add accessories to my rifle, since it's pretty plain. These accessories would cost me a total of about $2,000. Can I use those as a tax write-off?

Answer 1

Not if you are doing it just to dress it up - since you say that otherwise it's pretty plain, it doesn't sound like these accessories are required, or improve the function.

Answer 2

Yes you can as long as it is something that you have to spend your own money on for military use.  As long as it is something that is required by the military.

Answer 3

In the first answer, note the phrase "As long as it is something that is required by the military."  Understand that "required" means mandatory or ordered.  If they are optional, then they are not required.

Answer 4

you can not add anything to your uniform or rifles if they are NOT MILITARY ISSUED.

Answer 5

You can if it is required by your employer or if it is required to adequately do your job.  It is not if you are doing it just because you want to.  So it sounds like NO to me.

It would be like me trading in my company car for a Ferrari and deducting the difference on my taxes.  The company car is "pretty plain" and I would sure like to drive a Ferrari instead and take the difference off my taxes.  But that would be NO to me too!