• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
american van lines logo

American Van Lines

Call: (888) 759-6000 Get a Free Quote
  • Company
    • Our Team
    • Meet the Owner
    • Corporate History
    • Community Work
    • Environment & Sustainability
    • AVL Advantage
    • Career
    • Reviews
    • Video Reviews
    • Movers Near Me
  • Moving Services
    • Local Moving
    • Long Distance Moving
    • Military Moving
    • Corporate Relocation
    • Employee Moving
    • Packing Services
    • Moving and Storage
    • Commercial Moving
    • Antique and Piano
  • Move Cost
  • Blog
  • Help
    • Moving Checklist
    • Rights & Responsibilities
    • Valuation & Insurance
    • Prohibited Items
    • Moving Boxes
  • Drivers Wanted
  • Contact Us
    • File a Claim
Moving Expenses Deduction

Are Moving Expenses Tax Deductible?

Are Moving expenses tax deductible? This is one of the most popular moving related questions that few people seem to have the answer to. Luckily, American Van Lines is here to help. In short, the answer is No. In 2017 (Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), a major tax overhaul got rid of the federal tax deduction for moving. However, there are still some exceptions and things you need to know regarding your upcoming move as it relates to taxes.

Can anyone still deduct moving expenses on their federal tax return?

Yes, if you’re an active member of the military, you still qualify for this (Form 3903, Moving Expenses). It is important to remember that if you’re a military member moving due to a permanent change of station, moving between duty stations, or you’re moving to a final station before retirement, you will be excluded from distance requirements. What are these distance requirements? In essence, in order for a move to be tax deductible, your destination or new address needs to be a minimum of 50 miles away from your old address. Additionally, you would need to start your new job/work assignment within a year of living for it to be considered tax deductible.

What kind of moving expenses are tax deductible?

There’s a lot of gray area around what exactly counts as tax deductible during the moving process. Here’s an easy way to think about it. Anything specifically related to your moving details counts. This includes packing supplies, the cost of your rental truck, the price of a storage unit and more. However, things such as the meals you buy as you travel cross country or a pillow you need for the truck to make your drive more comfortable do not count as things that are tax deductible during your move. Here’s another important note: if your employer reimbursed you for all of your moving expenses, they are no longer tax deductible. You’re not allowed to get reimbursed twice. Make sure you are honest about this to avoid issues and fees with the IRS. 

How does this apply to state income tax returns?

As of January 2020, only seven states still allowed moving related expenses to be deducted. So if you live in Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, California, Pennsylvania, New York or Arkansas, you could be eligible for savings. Please note that each state has the power to change/update their rules regularly. To ensure that you’re making the right decisions, we strongly advise checking with a local tax advisor for any updates/advice on how to deduct your moving expenses.

Posted by: Anthony DiSorboPublished on: January 20, 2021

Primary Sidebar

Get Your Free Quote Now

  • MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • By clicking “Get My Free Quote” button, you consent American Van Lines, to use automated telephone dialing technology or SMS Text messages, to contact you at the number and email provided. This consent is not required to make a purchase. Clicking “Get My Free Quote” constitutes my electronic signature.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

American Van Lines-Customer Service Awards

Recent Post

  • The Best Time of Year to Move Across State Lines May 1, 2025
  • State-to-State Moving: Should You Rent a Truck or Hire Professionals? April 22, 2025
  • How American Van Lines is Reshaping the Moving Industry: Trust, Transparency, and Innovation March 20, 2025
  • American Van Lines Hailed as One of the Top Five Movers in the Country February 19, 2025
  • The AVL Advantage: Flat Rate Pricing and Easy-to-Understand Contracts February 11, 2025
  • Continuous Improvement Is the Key to Tackling Environmental Issues February 7, 2025
  • Understand Your Carrier’s Valuation and Liability Options Before You Move February 3, 2025
  • Learn the Differences Between Binding and Non-Binding Estimates January 23, 2025
  • Learn About Your Moving Rights and Responsibilities with American Van Lines January 14, 2025
  • Begin Preparing to Move Three Months Prior To Your Relocation Date January 9, 2025

Explore more

America’s trusted moving company since 1995

America's Best Customer Service 2023
Forbes
US News
Money.com
USA Today America’s Customer Service Champions 2024
official movers of the florida panthers

Explore more

Your long distance move starts here

  • Alabama
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming
american van lines logo

Footer

1351 NW 22nd St, Pompano Beach, FL 33069

Toll Free: (888) 759-6000 | Customer Service: (954) 318-1246 | Fax: (888) 689-9991

MC 294798 · U.S. DOT No.614506

Florida: Fla. Mover Reg. No. IM-105

Texas: TXDMV 005036019C · Texas DMV Phone No. 1-888-368-4689

North Carolina: NCUC# – C-1588

South Carolina: South Carolina Public Service Commission Moving Certificate # 9774

  • Movers Near Me
  • Moving Company
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Report a Problem

Copyright © 2025 All Rights Reserved.

Connect with us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

What Our Customers Are Saying

review us on google
review us on shopper approved
review us on trustpilot
Call Us
Get a quote