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Want a Bigger Tax Refund? Here Are 5 Things You’re Forgetting to Deduct

Written by Banks Editorial Team

Updated April 22, 2021​

2 min. read​

Nothing is more painful than realizing you forgot to include deductions towards your tax refund. This is money that is rightfully owed to you, and often overlooked if the proper care isn’t being put towards filing your taxes. From magazines to medical insurance premiums, it’s time to get out ahead of your taxes for the biggest tax refund possible this year.

Make your life easier to calculate your tax refund by signing up to an app. Some offer a free trial period to check out their features before paying a cent.

Popular Tax Companies
TaxSlayer is the easiest way to file your federal and state taxes online. Get started completely for free to maximize your tax return this year.

TaxSlayer is the easiest way to file your federal and state taxes online. Get started completely for free to maximize your tax return this year.

E-file.com offers free federal tax returns using their basic software. Upgrade for more complicated tax cases. In any case, get your biggest refund fast.

E-file.com offers free federal tax returns using their basic software. Upgrade for more complicated tax cases. In any case, get your biggest refund fast.

Read how FreeTaxUSA top-rated software, IRS-approved e-file provider can help you get the maximum tax refund in the fastest way possible.

Read how FreeTaxUSA top-rated software, IRS-approved e-file provider can help you get the maximum tax refund in the fastest way possible.

Tips for a Bigger Tax Refund

Here are 5 things you are most likely forgetting to deduct at tax time and may make your tax refund smaller.

1. Charity

Sure, you probably know that charitable contributions are deductible. That’s the easy part. Did you know you could deduct the work you do for charity, too? Things like transportation to a charitable event or a fundraiser can be deducted from your tax total. Any cost associated with participating at these events is a legal and recognized deduction on your tax return.

2. Home Office

If you’re self-employed, you are eligible for a variety of tax deductions that are not available for other workers. For instance, you can deduct a portion of the cost of utilities or even rent for your home office. Plus, you can deduct for magazine subscriptions or other member organizations in your career field that is helping you with the development and inspiration behind the business.

3. Health Help

Yes, you can deduct the cost of medical insurance premiums that surpass 10 percent of your adjusted gross income. Even if you are covered in an employer plan, this deduction still applies to you. Additionally, if you are self-employed, the 10 percent threshold is waived for you, enabling you to deduct the costs of any kind of insurance premium.

4. Teacher Support

If you’re a teacher or some kind of educator, you can deduct for materials that were bought for the classroom. This above-the-line deduction is a special kind of treat, ensuring you don’t need to itemize each item for this kind of deduction submission.

Popular Tax Companies
TaxSlayer is the easiest way to file your federal and state taxes online. Get started completely for free to maximize your tax return this year.

TaxSlayer is the easiest way to file your federal and state taxes online. Get started completely for free to maximize your tax return this year.

E-file.com offers free federal tax returns using their basic software. Upgrade for more complicated tax cases. In any case, get your biggest refund fast.

E-file.com offers free federal tax returns using their basic software. Upgrade for more complicated tax cases. In any case, get your biggest refund fast.

Read how FreeTaxUSA top-rated software, IRS-approved e-file provider can help you get the maximum tax refund in the fastest way possible.

Read how FreeTaxUSA top-rated software, IRS-approved e-file provider can help you get the maximum tax refund in the fastest way possible.

5. Parental Perks

Parents who work and leave their children with caregivers are eligible for a tax credit that will offset the cost of baby sitters, day care, nursery schools or pre-schools. There are some limits, however, including the age of the child and the percentage of the credit. If you’re a parent, don’t assume that you need to front all of these costs and associated taxes alone.

There’s More

Don’t forget: if you’re making a move for your job, you can also deduct what you spend on packing and moving your belongings, as well as for storage, insurance, transportation, and lodging associated with the move. Plus, there’s always disaster recovery related costs, as well as loan points earned on mortgage refinancing.

If you’re about to do your taxes for the fiscal year, do not accept the taxable income amount left at the end of the process. There are dozens of deductions that aren’t commonly known or talked about today.

Do your due diligence to make sure you are getting back all of your hard-earned money, and make your tax life easier by signing up to a tax app.

Tax Software

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