Tax season often brings a flood of information about potential deductions. Perhaps you’ve heard about someone deducting their new pool and wondered how that’s possible, or if you can deduct time spent volunteering for charity.
Let’s clarify some deductions you might think you can claim but probably can’t. Priority Tax Relief is here to help you understand all the deductions and credits available to ensure you get the largest refund possible.
Here Are Tax Deductions and Credits You Aren't Eligible to Claim:
1. Work Clothes
Starting a new office job and buying a suit might seem like a clear deduction, but the IRS disagrees. If your work clothes can also be worn outside of work, they are not deductible. Even if your job requires a suit daily, you can’t deduct it since it can be worn on other occasions like weddings or dinners. Previously, certain work clothes (like uniforms) could be deducted if itemized, but this is no longer the case due to tax reforms. However, self-employed individuals can deduct uniform expenses.
2. Plastic Surgery
Cosmetic surgeries, which often have high out-of-pocket costs, are generally not deductible. Procedures like facelifts, Botox, and liposuction to improve appearance are not considered deductible medical expenses. However, if surgery is prescribed by a doctor for medical reasons, such as correcting a deformity or respiratory issues, it could be deductible if unreimbursed medical expenses exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) and you itemize deductions.
3. Time Spent as a Volunteer
The value of your time spent volunteering, even if providing professional services for free, cannot be claimed as a tax deduction. However, you can deduct miles driven for volunteering at a rate of 14 cents per mile in 2023.
4. Child Support Payments
Child support payments are not deductible on your tax return. Additionally, these payments are not taxable income for the recipient parent.
5. Family Pet
Expenses for your pet are considered personal spending and are not deductible. You also cannot claim your pet as a dependent. However, if your pet is a certified service animal, you can deduct expenses related to its care, such as buying, training, grooming, and veterinary care. If your pet earns income as an influencer, related expenses might be deductible as business expenses.
6. Sleep Away Camp
While expenses for summer day camps qualify for the Child and Dependent Care Credit, overnight camps do not. The day camp must be for a child under 13 (or without an age limit if disabled) and must be for the purpose of allowing you to work.
7. Pool
Adding a pool to your home is a significant expense but not typically deductible. However, if prescribed by a doctor as medically necessary, it may be considered a deductible medical home improvement.
8. Donations to Non-Qualified Organizations
To deduct donations, they must be given to a registered non-profit organization, not individuals. Contributions made via crowdfunding sites to non-501(c)(3) individuals or to political candidates are not deductible. Only donations to qualified charities are eligible for tax deductions.
Priority Tax Relief can help you identify the deductions you’re entitled to and ensure you get the maximum refund, whether you file yourself or with an expert’s help.
Frequently Asked Questions: Tax Deductions and Credits You Aren't Eligible to Claim
Can I deduct the cost of work clothes?
No, if your work clothes can be worn outside of work, they are not deductible.
Are plastic surgery expenses deductible?
Cosmetic surgery for appearance improvement is not deductible. However, if it’s medically necessary, it might be.
Can I deduct the time I spend volunteering?
No, the value of your time is not deductible, but you can deduct mileage driven for volunteering.
Is child support deductible?
No, child support payments are not deductible and are not taxable for the recipient.
Can I deduct expenses for my family pet?
Generally, no, unless your pet is a certified service animal or earning income as an influencer.
Are expenses for sleep-away camps deductible?
No, only summer day camps qualify for the Child and Dependent Care Credit.
