When it comes to federal income taxes, your goal should be to pay just what’s appropriate, nothing more. Because your tax liability is calculated by your income, the best way to lower the taxes you pay is to reduce your income. Of course, you need to do this without technically reducing your income. You can do this by taking appropriate above-the-line tax deductions.
Above-the-line-tax deductions are basically like tax deductions that are adjustments to your income. They’re labeled above-the-line because they are reduced on the front page of the tax return just above the last line. These deductions reduce your adjustable gross income and effectively decrease your tax liability.
The following are a few above-the-line tax deductions that are discussed in our Tax Guide which you can take if you are eligible.
• Moving expenses, if you relocated for job purposes.
• Self-employment. Half the total of taxes that are paid to Social Security and Medicare.
• Self-employed retirement plans.
• Self-employed health insurance. The total amount you pay in health insurance premiums not only for yourself, but for your spouse and dependents as well. Even contributions towards long-term care policies are deductible.
• Penalties paid for early withdrawal of savings. The account manager of such an account should send you a 1099-INT or 1099-OID form including the early withdrawal penalty.
• Alimony payments. If you are divorced and funding alimony, you can deduct these payments from your income. You must include your ex-spouse’s social security number; otherwise the deduction might be disallowed.
• IRA deductions for amounts contributed to traditional IRAs for people who are self-employed.
• Student loan interest. Up to $2,500 in student loan interest paid can be deducted for single filers making $65,000 or less or joint filers making $135,000 or less.
• Jury duty pay if it was turned over to your employer.
Individuals can get most of these above-the-line tax deductions by utilizing the long form, 1040. If you prefer to use the short from, 1040A, you may still utilize some of these deductions. Early account withdrawal penalties, IRA contributions, student loan interest and jury pay are the above-the-line-tax deductions that are allowed on the 1040A tax return. Consult with your personal tax consultant for more details or check out this Internet Domain Tax Guide Reviews.
