Tax Truths and Lies: Here’s What You Can and Can’t Get Away With
Most taxpayers will likely agree that the U.S. tax code is complicated and hard to understand. So, naturally, a few common tax myths have popped up over the years. And some of the most common myths revolve around tax deductions.
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Some tax deductions that seem completely legitimate are actually fake, while others that seem unusual or even silly qualify for beneficial tax treatment.
Here’s a look at tax myths and truths to help you claim the correct tax deductions.
Last updated: Feb. 23, 2021
You Can Deduct Pet Expenses
Truth. As with many things in the tax code, your ability to deduct an expense depends on its legitimacy, usually for business or medical purposes. While you can’t deduct every meal you feed the family dog, there’s a surprising range of instances where you can deduct pet expenses.
On a business level, if your pet generates income for you, you’ll likely be able to fully deduct your “ordinary and necessary” pet expenses. For example, if you own a dog that’s in commercials, you might be able to deduct your pet expenses. If you raise horses for breeding, that can also constitute a business so your animal expenses are likely deductible. If you relocate for work, your pet-related moving expenses are deductible because–you might want to cover Fluffy’s ears for this part–the IRS considers your pet to be a possession.
Going outside the box a little more, one junkyard owner was able to deduct the cost of cat food. Why was this deduction allowed? Because the owner used the food to attract neighborhood cats, who subsequently kept his yard pest-free.
Your pet’s medicine isn’t deductible, but if your pet contributes to your health and wellbeing, other things might be. For example, if you need a guide dog or service animal, the IRS allows deductions for the costs of buying, training, and maintaining that animal, including food, veterinary care, and grooming.
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You Can Always Deduct Daily Commuting Costs
Lie. Since the IRS can be fairly generous about claiming tax deductions for business expenses, it might seem logical that your costs for driving to and from work every day should be deductible. Unfortunately, that is simply a tax myth.
Yes, you might be able to convince yourself and others that driving to work should fall under the category of a business expense. Unfortunately, the IRS clearly states the daily transportation expenses you incur when traveling from home to the office are generally nondeductible.
But, as with most IRS regulations, there are certain exceptions. You might be able to snag a transportation deduction in certain scenarios. A few examples include (but are not limited to):
Traveling to a temporary workplace outside the metro area where you live
Seeing customers or clients
Going to a business meeting that isn’t held at your normal workplace
Otherwise, you’ll just have to bear the costs of fuel, maintenance, depreciation or public transportation on your own.
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You Can Deduct Rent and Landscaping Costs
Truth. This “truth” requires special handling, but yes — it’s true that in some cases you can deduct these and other seemingly everyday expenses. What’s the trick? Taking advantage of the home office deduction.
If you can demonstrate to the IRS that at least a portion of your home — whether you’re a homeowner or renter — is used exclusively for business purposes, you’re allowed to take a tax deduction for certain home expenses. The amount of your deduction is limited to the business percentage use of your home.
Certain expenses that generally qualify include:
rent paid for the use of property you don’t own but use in your trade or business
depreciation
insurance
utilities
repairs
security system
It’s important to note that 13 states offer tax breaks to low-income renters in the form of rebates or credits, according to Policy Genius. 12 others give tax breaks to senior renters or renters with disabilities.
As for landscaping? Typically, the IRS does not allow such a deduction. However, if you can demonstrate that a well-maintained lawn is an absolute imperative for generating business — as one taxpayer successfully proved in court, reports Kiplinger — you might be able to deduct a portion of those expenses as well.
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All Charitable Contributions Are Tax-Deductible
Lie. Everyone knows that charitable deductions are tax-deductible, right? Well, yes and no.
For starters, to get a tax deduction for a donation, a charity must qualify under IRS rules — specifically, under section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. Some charities that qualify include:
Federal, state, or local governments (if contribution is for public purposes)
Churches, synagogues, temples, mosques, or other religious organizations
Nonprofit schools and hospitals
The Salvation Army, American Red Cross, and other documented charity organizations
However, not every charity donation you make will qualify. Here are some common types of contributions that you might be tempted to deduct but are not qualifying:
Civic leagues
Social and sports clubs
Homeowners associations
Political groups or candidates
While those organizations might have charitable or philanthropic goals, they don’t qualify.
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You Can Deduct the Interest on a Business Credit Card
Truth. You’re likely aware that you generally cannot deduct the interest charges on your personal credit cards. However, business interest expense remains deductible. According to the IRS, business interest expense is “an amount charged for the use of money you borrowed for business activities.”
In the past, business interest typically came in the form of loans. But over the years, competition in the credit card market has exploded. Now, nearly every major bank — and many small ones — offer business credit cards. To qualify, you don’t need to be a Fortune 500 company; rather, you can open a business card if you have any type of small business.
According to the IRS, you can deduct interest on your debt if:
You are legally liable for the debt
You and the lender intend that the debt be repaid
You and the lender have a true debtor-creditor relationship
While you shouldn’t incur debt just to get an interest deduction, this is a little-known tax break you don’t want to miss.
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You Can Deduct All Medical Expenses
Lie. This one is a bit trickier, since you can definitely deduct medical expenses. However, while medical expenses are a valid deduction, there’s a huge restriction: You can deduct only the amount that exceeds 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income. That’s a pretty high hurdle for many taxpayers–but still better than the former threshold of 10 percent.
On the plus side, there are a lot of expenses that fall under the “deductible medical expense” category. Here’s just a small list of some items you can include:
medical insurance premiums
long-term care service
ambulance services
eyeglasses and contact lenses
some operations and surgeries
nicotine gum and patches
Some of these allowable expenses might surprise you. For example, in most cases, cosmetic surgery is not a deductible expense. However, if it’s non-elective — think, facial reconstruction after an accident rather than a nose job — it will likely qualify.
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The Government Will Pay You to Save for Retirement
Truth. We’re not exactly talking about the tax benefits of contributions to retirement accounts here. While putting money into an IRA or a 401k is a great idea — both in terms of socking money away for retirement and saving on taxes — there’s a little-known tax credit out that’s even better.
The Retirement Savings Contributions Credit, also known as the Saver’s Credit, puts money in your pocket if you contribute to an IRA or an employer-sponsored retirement plan. While you have to qualify, via a formula incorporating your tax filing status and your adjusted gross income, you may earn a credit for as much as 50 percent of your retirement plan or IRA contributions up to $2,000 or $4,000 if filing jointly.
If you file jointly for tax year 2020 with an AGI of $39,000 or less, you’ll qualify for the 50 percent rate. Even if a married couple’s AGI is as high as $65,000, they’ll still qualify for a 10 percent credit.
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Andrew Lisa contributed to the reporting for this article.
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Tax Truths and Lies: Here’s What You Can and Can’t Get Away With
