Maximize your refund with commonly missed tax deductions and credits.
Last-Minute Tax Deductions You Can Still Claim in 2026 Filing season is winding down and you want to make sure you have not missed any deductions before you submit. Some tax-saving moves are only available before Decemb
The standard mileage rate for 2026 is 67 cents per mile. Actual expenses include gas, insurance, repairs, and depreciation. Learn when each method saves more and how to switch between them.
The simplified method provides $5 per square foot up to $1,500. The regular method calculates actual expenses based on the percentage of your home used for business. Compare both methods.
The Dependent Care FSA lets you set aside $5,000 pre-tax for childcare while the Child and Dependent Care Credit provides 20-35% of up to $6,000 in expenses. Compare which saves more.
Farmers file Schedule F and can deduct equipment, feed, seed, and land improvements. Income averaging and conservation deductions provide additional tax savings for agriculture.
Business meals are 50% deductible when directly related to business. The 100% restaurant deduction expired. Learn what qualifies, documentation requirements, and common mistakes to avoid.
The American Opportunity Tax Credit and Lifetime Learning Credit can save students and parents up to $2,500 per year. Learn which one to claim.
The Section 199A deduction lets eligible business owners deduct up to 20% of qualified business income. Learn who qualifies, income limits, and how to calculate your deduction.
The Child Tax Credit provides up to $2,000 per qualifying child under 17. Income phaseouts begin at $200,000 single or $400,000 married. Learn eligibility rules and how to claim it.
The Child Tax Credit provides up to $2,000 per qualifying child. Learn income limits, age requirements, and how to claim it on your return.
The IRS standard mileage rate for 2026 applies to business, medical, and charitable driving. Learn when to use mileage vs actual expenses for the bigger deduction.
Teachers can deduct up to $300 in unreimbursed classroom supplies without itemizing. Learn what qualifies and how to claim the educator expense deduction.
The $10,000 SALT deduction cap limits how much state and local taxes you can write off on federal returns. Learn workarounds including pass-through entity elections available in many states.
The 2026 standard deduction is $15,000 for single filers, $30,000 for married filing jointly, and $22,500 for head of household. Additional amounts apply for those 65 and older or blind.
The EITC can be worth up to $7,830 for qualifying families. This often-overlooked credit lifts millions out of poverty. Check if you qualify.
Cash, property, and stock donations are all deductible if you itemize. Learn documentation requirements, limits, and the $300 standard deduction workaround.
You can deduct up to $2,500 in student loan interest even without itemizing. Income limits apply. Learn who qualifies, what loans count, and how to claim this above-the-line deduction.
The federal EV tax credit offers up to $7,500 for new electric vehicles and $4,000 for used EVs. Assembly, price, and income limits determine eligibility.
Medical expenses exceeding 7.5% of your AGI are deductible if you itemize. Learn which expenses qualify and how to track them properly.
Bunching means concentrating deductible expenses into alternating years to exceed the standard deduction threshold. This legal strategy can save thousands over time.
Solar panels, heat pumps, insulation, and energy-efficient windows can qualify for federal tax credits up to $3,200 per year. Plan installations before year end.
YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram creators can deduct equipment, software, home office, travel, and more. Here are the top deductions for content creators.
A new baby means a new dependent, Child Tax Credit, and possibly the Earned Income Tax Credit. Learn every tax benefit available to new parents in 2026.
From vehicle mileage to health insurance premiums, small business owners have access to dozens of deductions. These 20 are the most valuable.
The federal EV tax credit provides up to $7,500 for new electric vehicles meeting domestic assembly and battery requirements. Check if your vehicle qualifies for 2026.
The American Opportunity Tax Credit provides up to $2,500 for the first four years of college. The Lifetime Learning Credit covers $2,000 for any post-secondary education. Compare both.
The business meal deduction is back to 50% in 2026. Learn which meals qualify, documentation rules, and the difference between meals and entertainment.
You can deduct up to $2,500 in student loan interest even if you do not itemize. Learn income limits, qualifying loans, and how to claim the deduction.
The Inflation Reduction Act provides tax credits for solar panels, heat pumps, insulation, and electric vehicles. Learn which credits you qualify for and how much you can save.
Teachers can deduct up to $300 in unreimbursed classroom expenses without itemizing. Learn which supplies qualify, how to claim the deduction, and additional credits available.
The home office deduction can save self-employed workers thousands. Learn the simplified and regular methods, plus who qualifies (W-2 employees do not).
Learn the IRS rules for the home office tax deduction: the regular and exclusive use test, simplified vs. actual expenses methods, who qualifies, and how to calculate your deduction.
Rental income is taxable but offset by depreciation, repairs, and mortgage interest. Learn how to report rental income, deduct expenses, and use the $25,000 loss allowance.
The standard deduction for 2026 is $15,000 for single filers. But itemizing could save you more if you have significant mortgage interest, state taxes, or charitable donations.
Standard deduction is $15,000 (single) or $30,000 (MFJ) in 2026. Learn when itemizing beats the standard deduction and how to calculate which option saves you more.
