How do you handle personal out-of-pocket expenses (>1K) paid for conference registration/travel in 2006 for a conference in 2007 that won't be re-imbursed until late 2007?

Thanks for your time.

Zip Code: 02446

The rules state that if you are allowed to submit a professional expense for reimbursement, you're not allowed to claim that expense as a deduction on your tax return.

Even if you don't bother to ask to be reimbursed, you're still not allowed to deduct the money you spent on that item.

So if you reasonably expect to be re-imbursed for the money you spent, you probably shouldn't claim those expenses on your tax returns this year.

Zip Code: 01801

Good answer, but how is IRS ever going to find out? Reimbursements aren't reported, are they? I'm sure a lot of people abuse this (not me, of course).

Zip Code: 02114