Submitted By: someone
Answered: June 18, 2018 10:54 pm

Can legal fees for a whistleblower award be deducted even if I don’t itemize?

Legal fees paid in connection with certain whistleblower awards are deductible from gross income; no itemizing is required. One such deductible award is a “Section b” award (which is a mandatory award if certain conditions are met) through the IRS Whistleblower Office; an award under a “Section a” award (which is a discretionary award) does not allow legal fees to be deducted above-the-line. If deductible, the amount you can claim is limited to the amount of the award included in gross income.

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Tax Glossary

Withholding

An amount taken from income as a prepayment of an individual’s tax liability for the year. In the case of wages, the employer withholds part of every wage payment. Backup withholding from dividend or interest income is required if you do not provide the payer with a correct taxpayer identification number. Withholding on pensions and IRAs is automatic unless you elect to waive withholding.

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