Have You Seen These Tax Deductible Items
Tax return preparation is very difficult for most people even if you are going to a trained professional like my self. Often deductions are missed simply because the taxpayer has not thought of them and the tax preparer has not asked. Here is a list of the most commonly missed tax deductible items.
1. The medical mileage deduction for 2009 is $.24 per mile and $.16.5 per mile for 2010. Trips from home to the doctor and the hospital are included when calculating total miles for the calendar year. Sometimes a client does not know off hand how many miles this actually is but when you start adding them up it can create a very large deduction.
2. Most know that mortgage interest is deductible but did you know the interest you pay on a 2nd home is also deductible? Savvy tax payers will include their motor home in this deduction if it has a working bathroom and kitchen.
3. Charitable deductions are made and often forgotten about. Sometime we just cannot remember the box of cookies we bought from our neighbor’s daughter who is with girls scouts as well as many other donations throughout the year. Add them up and you will not be sorry.
4. Moving expenses incurred for a job related move are a tax deductible item. There are certain tests to qualify for this deduction so be sure to consult your tax adviser. Deductions include transportation and storage of household goods. Travel including lodging from your old home to your new home is deductible.
5. The alimony deduction is often over looked because many people do not want to think about a painful divorce. The amount rewarded for child support is not deductible though.
6. Interest for loans to pay education expense are a deduction. With graduation comes so many changes and mail gets lost and misplaced or just does not get forwarded. Take advantage of this deduction by being sure you know how much interest was actually paid for the year.
7. State income taxes that are withheld on your W-2 are deductible. In addition, do not forget the amount of taxes paid to your state for a prior year filing.
8. Loans made to family and friends who have failed to repay you are deductible as worthless debts on Schedule D. You are limited to $3,000 per year until the full loss is taken. But if you have capital gains then the whole loss can be taken up to the amount of the capital gain plus $3,000.
9. If you are self employed there are countless deductions but for the purpose of this article do not be afraid to take a loss on line 12 of your 1040 resulting from your Schedule C. If I did not make any income from my self employed venture can I take a loss? Yes absolutely as long as you materially participated.
10. Rental income from a family member is usually unreported because we want to beat the system. First this is illegal but second you are missing out on a very large tax deductible item.
Zach Allred is a tax preparer with 20 years experience. Visit Small Business Taxes and sign up for his Free Newsletter. Also visit Federal Tax Deductions and read other free articles.