Tax questions

[my4littlebuffaloes]

I am trying to file my taxes, but am running into a couple of problems.

First, moving expenses. We moved from CO to OH this year. it says we can deduct moving expenses if you are moving for a job. The catch is, we were not relocated by a company. We chose to move. Dh quit his job there, found one on his own here and we moved ourselves. Can we deduct this expense? We did move because of a job, but it was our choice. Dh doesn't think we can deduct it, since we weren't required to move by work. The wording on turbotax doesn't make it clear one way or another.

Second, when we sold our house we had to pay all the buyer's closing costs. Around $8,000. I have been told by other people, who have been in the same situation, that we should be able to get that money back. My neighbor in CO was in the same situation and all those fees they had paid for their buyer, they got back at tax return time. I input all the info in turbo tax and it stated that while I took an $11,000 loss on the sale of the home, we didn't qualify for getting any of it back. I am confused! Any ideas? Thanks!

Jennifer

[geckoace]

on moving it seems to depend on a few things

http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc455.html

If you moved because of a change in your job location or because you started a new job, you may be able to deduct your moving expenses if your move is closely related to the start of work. To qualify for the moving expense deduction, you must meet both the distance and the time tests, unless you are a member of the armed forces and your move was due to a permanent change of station.

Your move will meet the distance test if your new main job location is at least 50 miles farther from your former home than your old main job location was. Use the shortest distance of the most commonly traveled routes between these points. To determine this, first figure the distance between your former residence and your new job and then subtract the distance between your former residence and your old job. If the result is 50 miles or more, you have met the distance test. For example, if the distance from your former residence to your new job is 70 miles and the distance from your former residence to your old job is 5 miles, you will meet the distance test.

The second test concerns time. If you are an employee, you must work full–time for at least 39 weeks during the 12 months right after you move. If you are self–employed, you must work full time for at least 39 weeks during the first 12 months and for a total of at least 78 weeks during the first 24 months after you move. There are exceptions to the time test in case of death, disability and involuntary separation. For more information if you qualify to deduct moving expenses please refer to Publication 521.

If you meet the requirements, you can deduct the reasonable expenses of moving your household goods and personal effects to your new home. You can also deduct the expenses of traveling to your new home, including your lodging expenses. You cannot, however, deduct meals.

Moving expenses are figured on Form 3903 (PDF) and deducted as an adjustment to income on Form 1040 (PDF). You cannot deduct any moving expenses that were reimbursed by your employer.

For additional information, refer to the Form 3903 (PDF) Instructions and Publication 521, Moving Expenses.