Kazim Qasim - Overlooked Tax Deductions

Taxpayers know that there are tax deductions out there to be utilized to reduce the taxes paid on your income.  Most are aware of the common deductions, but there are many deductions that simply get overlooked by most taxpayers.

Gifts to charity is a good place to start.  Most taxpayers know that when you give a gift of money or items to a qualified charity, you can deduct the value of this gift, with proper documentation.  One common item that gets missed is the miles that you drove or out-of-pocket expenses you paid for the charities benefit.

Most taxpayers also consider mortgage interest.  Though less taxpayers are claiming the interest on their mortgage (due to no longer taking itemized deductions with the increase in the standard deduction), mortgage interest still remains a large deduction.  An additional deduction that is sometimes missed are the points associated with refinancing your mortgage.  Additionally, when you pay-off or refinance a mortgage that has points still remaining, you can deduct those points in full.  Be aware that using the same lender for another mortgage often means that the remaining points simply get rolled into the new mortgage and are therefore not deductible.

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Charles Woodson - What Is A Tax Deduction Worth

Individuals are always looking for tax deductions that can reduce their tax liability. But what is the actual tax benefit derived from a tax deduction? There is no straightforward answer because some deductions are above the line, others must be itemized, some must exceed a threshold amount before being deductible, and certain ones are not deductible for alternative minimum tax purposes, while business deductions can offset both income and self-employment tax. In other words, there are many factors to consider, and the tax benefits differ for each individual, depending on his or her particular situation and tax bracket.

For most non-business deductions, the savings are based upon your tax bracket. For example, if you are in the 12% tax bracket, a $1,000 deduction would save you $120 in taxes. On the other hand, if you are in the 32% tax bracket, the $1,000 deduction will save you $320 in taxes. Even so, if your taxable income is close to transitioning into the next-lower tax bracket, the benefit will be lower. You also need to consider whether the particular deduction is allowed on your state return and what your state tax bracket is to determine the total tax savings. Currently, the maximum federal tax bracket is 37%, meaning the most benefit that can be derived from a $1,000 income tax deduction is $370. Some individuals justify making discretionary purchases just because they are tax-deductible. Even in the highest tax bracket, you are still paying $630 out of pocket ($1,000 − $370), so it does not make sense to incur a tax-deductible expense just for the tax deduction.

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Chuck Woodson, daycare, self-employed, tax benefits, tax help,tax deductions

A taxpayer who is in the business of providing family day care in their home may deduct the ordinary and necessary expenses of their business. The two primary deductions include the business use of their home and the cost of providing meals and snacks to children in their care. The following is a rundown on deductible business expenses for home day care providers.  Read More

At this time of year, a summer vacation is on many people’s minds. If you travel for business, combining a business trip with a vacation to offset some of the cost with a tax deduction can sound appealing. But tread carefully, or you might not be eligible for the deduction you’re expecting.

General Rules

Business travel expenses are potentially deductible if the travel is within the United States and the expenses are “ordinary and necessary” and directly related to the business. (Foreign travel expenses may also be deductible, but stricter rules apply than are discussed here.)

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Well, it would be a bit of a stretch to say that most of us don’t want to pay taxes. However, who wouldn’t take a tax deduction if it is available? For all those individuals who are looking out for different ways by which they can reduce their tax liability, here is one effective method of doing so. You can include your Medicare premiums and even dental expenses in tax filing for better deductions. Sure, there are some prerequisites and details that one must consider and they are below.

Deducting Medicare Premiums Read More

Being a contractual or project based employee has quite a few benefits when it comes to taxes. For an instance, you are eligible for a few tax deductions without even having to itemize the same. The following are some great ways of saving money on tax dollars if you a contract and/or project based employee.

Include Business Expenses

A lot of contract employees either shy away or are too skeptical when it comes to deducting business expenses from their returns.As a project based or contract employee, it is imperative that you keep a track of all your earnings throughout a year. If you can manage, having separate cards and accounts for business and personal usage would be ideal. Read More

Tax Credits and Deductions are probably the most exciting part when preparing your tax return. They both help you save money by reducing your overall income tax liability. So, you should take a full advantage of all the tax credits and deductions you qualify for.

Tax Credits and Deductions are probably the most exciting part when preparing your tax return. They both help you save money by reducing your overall income tax liability. So, you should take a full advantage of all the tax credits and deductions you qualify for.
As many still get confused about the difference between tax credits and tax deductions, here’s a simple introduction to the these two in the light of the New Tax Reform that just has been approved.  Read More

To be eligible to deduct the excess costs of a gluten-free diet under Internal Revenue Code Section 213, you must have a documented reason to require the observance of a gluten-free diet, along with a physician’s prescription to follow a gluten-free diet. This should provide sufficient documentation of eligibility.

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MileIQ

The mileage deduction is a great way to save on your tax bill. But there are some misconceptions about this valuable deduction. Let’s go over some facts and myths about the mileage deduction.

Myth: You Need An Odometer Reading for Every Trip

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John Stancil

I recently received a mailing from an American automobile company regarding the Section 179 deduction. The letter expressed some urgency to purchase a vehicle before the end of the year to get a large Section 179 deduction. While this is true, the letter left me with the impression that I needed to take action before December 31, 2016, or the deduction would be lost. What they stated was true. However, it is what was left unstated that concerns me.

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MileIQ

Travel to business-related conventions, seminars, or similar meetings can be tax deductible. This can include deductions for your transportation, lodging, and 50% of your meal expenses while on business. Learn about how to do this, as well as some of the IRS restrictions.

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John Dundon

How do you plan to give back next year?

The more money we tend to have, the harder it tends to be to share our resources with others. This is true up to the point we start to appreciate the significance of giving back. For many this tipping point comes far too late in life if at all. If you charitably donate or are considering being charitable, how much are you donating? How are you making those donations? Money? In kind? Time? How do you decide what is appropriate?

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