Hello all!

I am originally from the Midwest and moved to New York City for a 6-month project for work. I have to pay for all of my expenses while here (rent/housing, food, transportation and etc). I was wondering if I can write off these expenses because I would've never incurred these if it weren't for work. I am a regular W-2 employee, and after this project is over, I will be laid off. I have been with this firm for two years now. I want to see if I can write off the following: monthly rent, food/dining/eating out, subway rides and my monthly flights back home.

Thanks in advance!

as long as you receive a temporary job assignment away from your home, you may be able to claim a tax deduction for your expenses. To qualify, you must have duplicate living expenses, meaning you must continue to keep a residence in your home city. The IRS defines your tax home as the city or area in which you normally conduct business. To be able to deduct your rent, you must reasonably expect the temporary assignment to last no longer than 12 months. If you expect to work at the location for more than a year, you cannot deduct your rent, even if you return home sooner. If you expect the assignment to last no more than a year and you later find you will be working there for a longer time, the rent paid prior to learning of the extension is eligible, but the rent paid after you learn of the extension is not.
If your employer or your client reimbursed you in full, you cannot deduct your rent. If you received partial reimbursement, you may deduct only the portion for which you did not receive reimbursement. If you received a per diem or other allowance, you may deduct your rent only if your employer included the allowance with your taxable income.As this is a temporary Assignment or Job and you expect to be away from home for less than one year than you may be able to itemize your living expenses on Sch A of 1040 while away from your tax home.UNLESS you itemize deductions on Sch A, you can’t deduct the expenses; you can’t deduct commuting expenses, food/dining /eating out that you pay in NYC since they are personal ,NOT job related expenses. Other examples of job-related expenses that may be deducted include travel and transportation costs, job related meals and entertainment expenses or etc.