What can be deducted from my taxes?

No one wants to pay more taxes on income than they actually owe. But how do you know what qualifies as a tax write-off and can be deducted from your taxes? Read on and we’ll outline examples of deductions for taxes.

Tax deductions list: Everyday examples

Just take a look at this list of things you might be able to deduct:

• Business expenses (must be ordinary and necessary)
• Student loan interest
• Traditional IRA contributions
• HSA contributions (other than those paid through your employer)
• Charitable contributions
• Medical expenses more than 7.5% of your Adjusted Gross Income
• Mortgage interest
• Losses from gambling income
• State and local payment sent in the tax year for a prior-year return (not including penalties or interest)
• Real estate taxes
• Personal property taxes
• Estate tax paid on behalf of a deceased loved one
• Income taxes paid to a foreign country or U.S. possession 
• Half of any self-employment taxes paid
• State and local income taxes (SALT) withheld or paid as an estimate 
• State and local sales taxes

What doesn’t qualify as a tax write-off?

While you can count many types of taxes as deductions, there are others that you can’t deduct. These items don’t qualify as a tax write-off: 

• Personal expenses
• Unreimbursed employee business expenses
• Federal income tax
• Federal excise tax
• Social Security, Medicare, FUTA, and RRTA taxes
• Customs duties
• Most federal estate or gift tax (except estate tax paid in respect to a decedent)
• Gasoline taxes
• Car inspection fees
• Special assessments for improvements to a property
• Tax paid for someone else
• License fees for dog, drivers, or marriage licenses
• Qualified tips
• Qualified overtime
• Car loan interest

Get help taking tax deductions

Still have questions about what can be deducted from your taxes? Whether you choose to file with a tax pro or file with H&R Block Online, you can rest assured that we’ll get you the biggest refund possible.