Deductions & Credits

Congress created two ways to reduce your tax bill: A tax deduction subtracts from your reportable income, while a tax credit subtracts from your liability, producing greater tax savings.

The Basics

Differences between deductions and credits, different classes of deductions

Deductions Allowed in Figuring Adjusted Gross Income

Expenses deductible directly from gross income, costs of moving to a new job location

Claiming the Standard Deduction or Itemized Deductions

When to itemize, husbands and wives filing separate returns, standard deduction for dependents, and more

Charitable Contribution Deductions

Qualifying charitable donations, donations of property, reporting charitable contributions

Itemized Deduction for Interest Expenses

Home mortgage loans, investment loans, timing of interest deductions

Deductions for Taxes

Deductable vs. nondeductable taxes, state and local income taxes or general sales taxes, deducting real estate taxes, and more

Medical and Dental Expense Deductions

Itemized medical expenses, nondeductible medical expenses, decedent's medical expenses, and more

Planning Alimony and Marital Settlements

Tax rules for alimony payments, minimum payments and recapture of alimony

Household Employment Taxes ("Nanny Tax")

Who is a household employee, Social Security and Medicare (FICA) taxes for household employees, filing Schedule H to report household employment taxes

Educational Tax Benefits

Scholarships, grants, and excludable savings bond interest, qualified tuition programs (Section 529 plans), Hope and Lifetime Learning Credits, and more

Casualty and Theft Losses and Involuntary Conversions

Deductible casualty losses, deductible theft losses, how to figure and claim your casualty or theft loss, and more

Deducting Car and Truck Expenses

Standard mileage rate, expense allocations, depreciation restrictions on cars, trucks, and vans, and more

Miscellaneous Deductions Reported on Schedule A

2% AGI floor reduces most miscellaneous expenses, effect of 2% AGI floor on deductions

Travel and Entertainment Expense Deductions

Commuting and meal expenses, deducting travel expenses away from home, deducting expenses of a business-vacation trip, and more

Tax Credits

Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), personal credits, dependent care credits, and more