with H1B Visa worked in client location for 10 months in 2017 between Feb and December, and continuing the same client location for work in 2018 as well.

I have first time come to USA in Jan 2017 and this is my very first tax return.

My question is

1. Am I eligible for Itemized tax deductions applied to my 2017 income tax return?

2. If the answer to above question is Yes, then Can I claim my house rental expenses at client location?

Thanks In Advance,
Srini

1. Am I eligible for Itemized tax deductions applied to my 2017 income tax return?==========>It depends; aslongas you are treated AS A us RESident FOR TAX PuRPOSES, THEN YES. If you were a Non Resident in 2017, then, You can claim deductions to figure your effectively connected taxable income .You generally cannot claim deductions related to income that is not connected with your U.S. business activities .Except for personal exemptions, and certain itemized deductions, you can claim deductions only to the extent they are connected with your effectively connected income.Nonresident aliens can deduct certain itemized deductions if they receive income effectively connected with their U.S. trade or business. These deductions include:State and local income taxes; Charitable contributions to U.S. non-profit organizations;Casualty and theft losses;Miscellaneous itemized deductions, and The ordinary and necessary expenses related to a U.S. trade or business.



Note, you could still make the First Year Choice if you meet the substantial presence test for 2018, you can choose to be treated as a U.S. Resident for part of 2018. If you make this choice, you cannot file your returns for 2017, till you meet the substantial presence test for 2018. You would need to file an extension and wait till you meet the test before filing your returns as a US resident. You have a dual-status tax year when you have been both a resident alien and a nonresident alien in the same year.Thus, in your case, should you choose to make the first year choice, you will be considered a Non Resident Alien for the initial part of the year of 2017and a Resident Alien for the latter part of 2017. You will have dual status. If you are a U.S. resident for the calendar year, but you were not a U.S. resident at any time during the preceding calendar year, you are a U.S. resident only for the part of the calendar year that begins on the residency starting date. You are a nonresident alien for the part of the year before that date; a dual status alien status is treated as a non resident alien.


2. If the answer to above question is Yes, then Can I claim my house rental expenses at client location?==========>
At client location??? ; basically, Employees may only take the home office deduction if they maintain the home office for the convenience of their employer. An employee?s home office is deemed to be for an employer?s convenience only if it is:a condition of employment;necessary for the employer?s business to properly function, or needed to allow the employee to properly perform his or her duties.