Tag: itemize

  • Seniors May Be Able to Write Off Medicare Premiums on Their Tax Returns

    Seniors May Be Able to Write Off Medicare Premiums on Their Tax Returns

    Are you age 65 and older, and do you have basic Medicare insurance? You may need to pay additional premiums to get the level of coverage you want. The premiums can be expensive, especially if you’re married and both you and your spouse are paying them. But there may be a bright side: You may…

  • Can You Deduct Charitable Gifts on Your Tax Return?

    Can You Deduct Charitable Gifts on Your Tax Return?

    Many taxpayers make charitable gifts — because they’re generous and they want to save money on their federal tax bills. But with the tax law changes that went into effect a couple years ago and the many rules that apply to charitable deductions, you may no longer get a tax break for your generosity. Are…

  • Expenses that Teachers Can and Can’t Deduct on Their Tax Returns

    Expenses that Teachers Can and Can’t Deduct on Their Tax Returns

    As teachers head back for a new school year, they often pay for various expenses for which they don’t receive reimbursement. Fortunately, they may be able to deduct them on their tax returns. However, there are limits on this special deduction, and some expenses can’t be written off. For 2019, qualifying educators can deduct some…

  • Volunteering for Charity: Do You Get a Tax Break?

    Volunteering for Charity: Do You Get a Tax Break?

    If you’re a volunteer who works for charity, you may be entitled to some tax breaks if you itemize deductions on your tax return. Unfortunately, they may not amount to as much as you think your generosity is worth. Because donations to charity of cash or property generally are tax deductible for itemizers, it may…

  • Donating Your Vehicle to Charity May Not Be a Wise Tax Decision

    Donating Your Vehicle to Charity May Not Be a Wise Tax Decision

    You’ve probably seen or heard ads urging you to donate your car to charity. “Make a difference and receive tax savings,” one organization states. But donating a vehicle may not result in a big tax deduction — or any deduction at all. Trade in, sell or donate? Let’s say you’re buying a new car and…

  • Seniors: Medicare Premiums Could Lower Your Tax Bill

    Seniors: Medicare Premiums Could Lower Your Tax Bill

    Americans who are 65 and older qualify for basic Medicare insurance, and they may need to pay additional premiums to get the level of coverage they desire. The premiums can be expensive, especially if you’re married and both you and your spouse are paying them. But one aspect of paying premiums might be positive: If…

  • Deduction of Vehicle Expenses for Individual Taxpayers

    Deduction of Vehicle Expenses for Individual Taxpayers

    It’s not just businesses that can deduct vehicle-related expenses. Individuals also can deduct them in certain circumstances. Unfortunately, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) might reduce your deduction compared to what you claimed on your 2017 return. For 2017, miles driven for business, moving, medical and charitable purposes were potentially deductible. For 2018 through…

  • Some Deductions May Be Smaller (or Nonexistent) When You File Your 2018 Tax Return

    Some Deductions May Be Smaller (or Nonexistent) When You File Your 2018 Tax Return

    While the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) reduces most income tax rates and expands some tax breaks, it limits or eliminates several itemized deductions that have been valuable to many individual taxpayers. Here are five deductions you may see shrink or disappear when you file your 2018 income tax return: State and local tax…

  • Three Big TCJA Changes Affecting 2018 Individual Tax Returns and Beyond

    Three Big TCJA Changes Affecting 2018 Individual Tax Returns and Beyond

    When you file your 2018 income tax return, you’ll likely find that some big tax law changes affect you — besides the much-discussed tax rate cuts and reduced itemized deductions. For 2018 through 2025, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) makes significant changes to personal exemptions, standard deductions and the child credit. The degree…