Don’t overlook these tax breaks

March 6, 2010

We're just about six weeks away from April 15 and millions of us haven't even started looking at our 1040s. Yes, me too! Or neither. Whatever.

When we finally do get around to doing our taxes, the goal obviously is to owe as little as possible.

Too often, though, we overlook some tax breaks that could save us some pennies … or more!

I just did a piece for Bankrate on 10 overlooked tax breaks. Rather than reinvent the tax wheel here — hey! It's Saturday and the weather is finally nice in Austin! — I'll just give you the list and let you check out the details in the story:

  • Additional charitable gifts
  • Moving expenses
  • Job hunting costs
  • Military reservists' travel expenses
  • Child, and more, care credit  
  • Mortgage refi points  
  • Many medical costs 
  • Retirement tax savings
  • Educational expenses 
  • Energy-efficient home improvements

Some of these are credits, which are great since they provide a dollar-for-dollar tax savings.

Others are deductions, either itemized or above-the-line adjustments to income, which will help lower the amount of money upon which you must figure your tax bill. Less taxable income usually means less taxes due.

And yes, some have income limits or other restrictions, so few of us will be able to use all 10.

But here's hoping that at least a few of these will help shave a few dollars off your IRS bill.

And be sure to check out the links below for even more tax-cutting opportunities.

Related
posts:

Want to tell your friends about this blog post?
Click the Tweet
This
or Digg This buttons
below or use the Share This icon to
spread the word via e-mail, Facebook and other popular
applications. Thanks!

Share:

The More Tax Posts tab at the top of this page will take you to, well, more tax posts. You also can search below for a tax topic. 

Latest Posts
Earnings statement detailing total earnings, deductions, and year-to-date amounts. Key figures include current earnings of $4,389.30.
IRS revises online withholding tool to account for new tax laws

March 12, 2026

Getting your paycheck tax withholding amount just right pays off at tax-filing time and throughout…

Read More
Hello Tax Season 2026

Happy New Tax Year! Are you ready to file your 2025 tax return? I know, too early to ask. But Tax Day 2026 will be here before we realize it. The Internal Revenue Service deadline to file and pay any tax we owe is the regular April 15 date this year. It’s also Tax Day for most of the states that collect income taxes from their residents, which is most of the states! If that seems too far away right now, don’t worry. As is the case every tax season, the ol’ blog’s tips and other tax reminders should help all of us meet our state and federal responsibilities. Procrastinators also will want to keep an eye on the countdown clock just below. It tracks how much time we have until April’s Tax Day, just in case we put off our annual tax task until the absolutely final hours and decide we need to instead get an extension request into the IRS by that date. (Note: I’m in the Central Time Zone, so adjust accordingly for where you live.)

Comments
Leave the first comment