Tax Central
We are dedicated to keeping clients abreast of the latest tax law changes, planning strategies and vital tax-related information. This section includes a library of timely articles, due date reminders and much more. The articles are categorized by subject matter, which can be accessed from the links.Click on your topic of interest and find a wealth of information.
Occupation Brochures
Virtually all taxpayers incur deductible expenses related to their occupations. Although certain expenses may be deductible to a variety of occupations, most occupations will have a combination of expenses that are unique to that occupation alone. The following is information pertaining to deductible expenses as they apply to a variety of occupations. This includes both text discussions of key expenses and a deduction organizer for each occupation. Both the text discussions and the organizers are in pdf format for viewing and printing.
- Tax Deductions for Educators
- Dues paid to professional societies related to your educational profession are deductible. These could include professional organizations, business leagues, trade associations, chambers of commerce, boards of trade and civic organizations. However, dues paid for memberships in clubs organized for business, pleasure, recreation or other social purpose are not deductible. These could include country clubs, golf and athletic clubs, airline clubs, hotel clubs and luncheon clubs. Deductions are allowed for payments made to a union as a condition of initial or continued membership. Such payments include regular dues, but not those that go toward defraying expenses of a personal nature. The portion of union dues that goes into a strike fund is deductible, however.
- Tax Deductions for Firefighters
- Dues paid to professional societies related to your profession are deductible. These could include professional organizations, business leagues, trade associations, chambers of commerce, boards of trade and civic organizations. However, dues paid for memberships in clubs organized for business, pleasure, recreation or other social purpose are not deductible. These could include country clubs, golf and athletic clubs, airline clubs, hotel clubs and luncheon clubs.
- Tax Deductions for Peace Officers
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Dues paid to professional societies related to your profession are deductible. These could include professional organizations, business leagues, trade associations, chambers of commerce, boards of trade and civic organizations. However, dues paid for memberships in clubs organized for business, pleasure, recreation or other social purpose are not deductible. These could include country clubs, golf and athletic clubs, airline clubs, hotel clubs and luncheon clubs.
- Tax Deductions for Business Professionals
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Dues paid to professional societies related to your profession are deductible. These could include professional organizations, business leagues, trade associations, chambers of commerce, boards of trade and civic organizations. However, dues paid for memberships in clubs organized for business, pleasure, recreation or other social purpose are not deductible. These could include country clubs, golf and athletic clubs, airline clubs, hotel clubs and luncheon clubs.
- Tax Deductions for Medical Professionals
- Generally, to be deductible, items must be ordinary and necessary to your medical profession and not reimbursable by your employer. Record separately items having a useful life of more than one year. Normally, the cost of such assets are recovered differently on your tax return than are other recurring, everyday business expenses such as business cards or medical supplies.
- Tax Deductions for Realtors
- Your auto expense is based on the number of qualified business miles you drive. Expenses for travel between business locations or daily transportation expenses between your residence and temporary work locations are deductible; include them as business miles. Expenses for your trips between home and work each day, or between home and one or more regular places of work, are COMMUTING expenses and are NOT deductible.
- Tax Deductions for Sales Representatives
- Your auto expense is based on the number of qualified business miles you drive. Expenses for travel between business locations or daily transportation expenses between your residence and temporary work locations are deductible; include them as business miles. Expenses for your trips between home and work each day, or between home and one or more regular places of work, are COMMUTING expenses and are NOT deductible.
- Tax Deductions for Clergy
- Many members of the clergy are paid a cash “housing allowance,” which they use to pay the expenses related to their homes (e.g. interest, real property taxes, utilities, etc.). Alternatively, some may live in a parsonage owned by the church. Neither a cash allowance (to the extent it is used to pay for home expenses) nor the estimated rental value of the parsonage is included in income for the purpose of computing your income tax. However, those amounts ARE INCLUDED in your income for the purpose of computing your self-employment (Social Security) tax, if any. Record your home expenses and the total annual amount of housing allowance or parsonage value you receive. Because of IRS regulations, it is very important that the governing body of your church designate the portion of your salary that is your housing allowance. NOTE: If you have made an election for exemption from self-employment taxes, other rules may apply. In such case, consult with your tax advisor.
- Tax Deductions for Day Care Providers
- Your auto expenses are based on the number of qualified business miles you drive.
- Tax Deductions for Overnight Drivers
- Expenses incurred when traveling away from “home” overnight for job-related reasons that were not reimbursed or reimbursable by your employer are deductible. Your “home” is generally considered to be the entire city or general area where your principal place of employment is located. Out-of-town expenses include transportation, meals, lodging, tips and miscellaneous items like laundry, valet, etc.
- Tax Deductions for Entertainers
- Educational expenses are deductible under either of two conditions: (1) your employer requires the education in order for you to keep your job or rate of pay; or (2) the education maintains or improves your skills in the entertainment profession. The costs of courses that are taken to meet the minimum requirements of a job, or that qualify you for a new trade or business, are NOT deductible.
- Tax Deductions for Restaurant Service Staff
- If you are a waiter or waitress, the IRS requires you to keep a record of your tips.
- Tax Deductions for Airline Flight Crew Personnel
- Dues paid to professional societies related to your occupation are deductible.
- Tax Deductions for Telecommuting Employees
- Record separately items having a useful life of more than one year. Normally, the costs of such assets are recovered differently on your tax return than are other recurring, everyday business expenses like business cards, office supplies, etc.