Category Archives: Deductions
Saving for retirement with an IRA or other tax-advantaged account will generate a Form 5498 from your financial institution at the beginning of tax time. Your financial institution also sends the IRS a copy of the form, which documents how much you contributed to your IRA during the year. Information Reported The Form 5498 reports: […]
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Taxpayers who are members of a health plan with a high deductible may be eligible to contribute to a health savings account. This type of account saves some of your money for future use on a range of medical expenses. Contributions made into your health savings account are tax-deductible, and investment earnings are tax-free, along […]
— Read moreWhether you’re in college currently, or have entered repayment of your student loans, every penny can matter. Maximize your tax refund by taking all the deductions you qualify for, including student loan interest. You may be eligible to deduct up to $2,500 from your taxable income if you’ve paid interest on your student loans. For […]
— Read moreEducation expense deductions can be beneficial to student taxpayers or their parents, however, knowing what qualifies as an appropriate expense is important. As the taxpayers in the next situation soon learned, even if you spend significant time educating yourself in various topics, if the expense is not deemed ordinary and necessary, it will be categorized […]
— Read moreBusiness travel can add up to a costly expense for many individuals, which is why deductions are offered at tax time to help alleviate the sting. In the case of mileage deductions, maintaining adequate records is extremely important to validate the expense, as the taxpayer in the following situation soon learned. The Situation The taxpayer […]
— Read moreEmployees who are required to wear a specific uniform to work may qualify for a deduction at tax time as an unreimbursed employee expense. However, as the next situation proves, the required clothing must not be suitable for wear outside of the workplace. The Situation Ralph Lauren Corporation sells, markets, and designs a wide range […]
— Read moreUnknowingly engaging in fraudulent transactions or learning you are the victim of a scam is never a good thing. When you’ve lost some of your hard-earned money due to theft, fraud, or a scam, you may be able to deduct the amount at tax time. However, state laws have three criteria that must be met […]
— Read moreAfter 2016, the Tuition and Fees Deduction will expire. Currently, you are eligible to deduct up to $4,000 from your taxable income for tuition expenses that you paid for either yourself, your spouse, or your dependents. Expenses paid in 2016 can be deducted if they were paid for one of the following purposes: Education during […]
— Read moreDo you have a student loan in which you make payments, some of which is applied to interest accrued on the loan? If so, you may be eligible to deduct some of the interest when you file your federal tax return. Your lender will report the amount of interest you paid using IRS Form 1098-E, […]
— Read moreGoods sold in many of the states have a sales tax imposed in addition to the purchase price. There are certain states that do not institute a sales tax for retail goods, however. No matter which state you purchase items in, sales tax can affect your federal tax return when you file. States Without Sales […]
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