Tax preparation for nurses
Quick answer: Staff nurses have W-2 simplicity with a few real deductions. Travel nurses have stipends, tax homes, and multi-state filings where one wrong answer gets expensive. We handle both, and multi-state is a specialty, not an upcharge surprise.
Tax home rules
Tax-free stipends depend on maintaining a legitimate tax home. We review your facts before the IRS asks.
Multi-state filing
Three contracts in three states means three state returns done in the right order. This is our daily work.
Licenses and certifications
State license fees, certifications, and required CEUs for contract work can be deductible for 1099 nurses.
Scrubs and equipment
Uniforms not suitable for everyday wear and your own stethoscope or equipment count for independent contractors.
Agency contracts
Blended W-2 plus stipend arrangements need careful reading. We reconcile the contract against the tax rules.
Retirement options
1099 nurses can shelter far more with a solo 401(k) or SEP IRA than a default IRA. We size it to your year.
Educational overview, not tax advice. Every deduction here has rules and limits, and a real preparer reviews your actual situation before anything is filed.
Are my stipends taxable?
Housing and meal stipends are tax-free only while you maintain a qualifying tax home and duplicate expenses. Lose the tax home and stipends become taxable wages.
Which states do I file in?
Generally your home state plus every state you earned in, with credits preventing double tax when done in the right order. Reciprocity agreements change the answer for some pairs.
Can W-2 staff nurses deduct scrubs?
Federally, unreimbursed employee expenses are currently not deductible for W-2 staff. Some states still allow them, and 1099 contract nurses deduct them as business costs.