| If you are one of the millions of Americans who | | | | employment - from printing resumes to phone charges. |
| throws all their receipts, credit card and bank | | | | 11. Dues to professional organizations and business |
| statements into a box, you are likely to overlook | | | | gifts up to $25 per customer or client |
| hundreds of dollars in tax deductions when preparing | | | | 12. Cellular phones required for business |
| your tax filings. | | | | 13. If you are self-employed, half of the |
| May I suggest that you print out these often | | | | self-employment tax paid |
| overlooked tax deductions onto a single piece of | | | | 14. Self-employed health insurance premiums and |
| paper for easy reference as you start the annual | | | | long-term care insurance premiums up to the annual |
| process of looking for every possible tax-savings | | | | limits. |
| opportunity? | | | | 15. Fees for tax preparation or advice, including |
| Here are 25 deductible expenses you don't want to | | | | software like TurboTax if you meet limits |
| overlook. | | | | 16. Services of a housekeeper, maid, or cook needed |
| 1. Medical transportation expenses including tolls, | | | | to run your home for the benefit of a qualifying |
| parking, and mileage for trips to doctor's, health facilities, | | | | dependent while you work |
| laboratories. | | | | 17. Penalties paid on early withdrawal of savings |
| 2. Prescribed medical aids such as crutches, canes, | | | | 18. State income taxes owed from a prior year and |
| and orthopedic shoes | | | | paid in the tax year-with your last return |
| 3. Hearing aids, eye glasses, and contact lenses | | | | 19. Mileage incurred in performing charitable activities |
| 4. The cost of alcohol and drug abuse programs, and | | | | 20. Gambling losses to the extent of your gambling |
| certain smoking-cessation treatments | | | | winnings - but be prepared to document this |
| 5. Education expenses you paid to maintain or improve | | | | 21. The cost of employment agency fees or |
| job skills (including professional books) | | | | commissions in certain cases |
| 6. Professional journals, magazines, and newspapers | | | | 22. Home office expenses, if your home is your |
| that are job-related | | | | primary place of business |
| 7. Cost of safe deposit box used for to store | | | | 23. Cash and non-cash contributions to qualified |
| investments or investment information | | | | charities |
| 8. Required uniforms and work clothes not suitable for | | | | 24. Reservist and National Guard overnight travel |
| street wear | | | | expenses |
| 9. Union dues. | | | | 25. Worthless stock or securities - but you must follow |
| 10. Job-seeking expenses within your present field of | | | | the prescribed rules. |