What type of documentation is necessary to support a work-related expense deduction?

The necessity of receipts and invoices to support a work-related expense deduction is grounded in tax regulations requiring documentation to substantiate claims made on tax returns. Receipts and invoices act as tangible proof of each expense incurred in the process of performing one's job duties. They detail the amount spent, the date of the purchase, a description of the goods or services provided, and the vendor's information, making them directly relevant to the justification of these expenses.

In contrast, personal bank statements, while they may show transactions, do not provide the specific context needed to establish that the expenses were indeed work-related. Social media posts lack the formal structure of documentation necessary to validate a business expense and do not provide any corroborative details. Similarly, letters from an employer may offer some information about job responsibilities but do not serve as proof of the expenses incurred directly associated with those responsibilities. Therefore, having proper receipts and invoices is crucial for successfully claiming work-related expense deductions, as they meet tax authorities' requirements for accountability and transparency.