One of the easiest ways to get a deduction if you itemize is to make a charitable donation.
Currently, you only get a property tax deduction if you itemize.
Last year after the Haiti earthquake, Congress passed a law to let folks who gave to Haiti relief efforts through March 1, 2010, the option of taking a deduction for the charitable contribution on either their 2009 or 2010 tax return (this applies to folks who itemize deductions, instead of taking the standard deduction).
Medical expenses are deductible on a Schedule A if you itemize your deductions (only about one-third of all taxpayers will opt to itemize rather than claim the standard deduction).
As such, out of pocket expenses relating to volunteering for charitable organizations are deductible on your Schedule A as a charitable deduction so long as you itemize.
To qualify for the medical expense deduction, you first have to itemize.
In reality, the only losers will be tax accountants, as it will become clear that most people will either be in position to take the standard deduction or will be able to itemize up to the cap and corporate tax avoidance will be limited as part of the reform package.
Q-10: Can a registered domestic partner itemize deductions if his or her partner claims a standard deduction?
Clearly, any rounding up you do or extra funds that you donate to an organization which is recognized by the IRS as a qualifying charitable organization would result in a charitable deduction (assuming, of course, that you itemize your deductions on a Schedule A).
You may not itemize deductions if you use the federal form 1040EZ: you must claim the standard deduction.
FORBES: A Beginner's Guide To Taxes: Which Tax Form Should I File?
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