Tax time is upon us and although nobody likes to look at how much money you are paying in, you may not have to pay as much as you think. We have come up with a few deductions that many people are not aware of. If any of these apply to you, they could help shrink your tax bill.
Moving Expenses
If you are moving because of a new job or because your current job changed locations, you may be able to deduct moving expenses such as hiring a moving company or renting a truck. There are some rules to qualify which include your new job location must be at least 50 miles further away from your old home than you old job was, you must move no earlier than a year before starting to work in the new location and you must remain working at that location full-time for at least 39 weeks during the first year you moved.
Job Hunting Expenses
If you are looking for a new career in the same field and it is not your first career, you could deduct job-search costs. These expenses would include transportation to and from interviews, cost to print resumes and mailing them out, food and lodging if you are searching in a new location. Keep in mind that the new suit you bought for interviews and the courses you took do not qualify as deductions.
Medical Expenses
You may already be deducting things such as your prescriptions, but remember that things such as programs or products to help you quit smoking, breast pumps and even modification to your home for someone disabled can be deducted. You may even be able to deduct the cost of wigs from hair loss and weight loss treatments.
Gambling Losses
You are allowed to deduct your losses if you itemize these deductions and you’ve kept a good record of your winnings and losses.
Home Office Expenses
If you work from home, don’t forget to deduct those expenses such as utilities, insurance, property taxes and maintenance.
Job-Related Expenses
In the miscellaneous category you can include expenses such as uniforms, work clothes, union dues, dues to professional organizations and work-related education costs.
If you are curious if you qualify for any of these deductions, please seek out your tax advisor. If you would like a referral to one, please contact our office at 763-231-9510.
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