While not all mistakes on tax returns cause delays in refunds, as the April 18 deadline approaches, taxpayers are advised to steer clear of the common tax return errors listed below to ensure a timely refund.
Tax Breaks for Taxpayers Who Itemize
Many taxpayers opt for the standard deduction, but sometimes itemizing your deductions is the better choice – often resulting in a lower tax bill. Whether you bought a house, refinanced your current home, or had extensive gambling losses, you may be able to take advantage of tax breaks for taxpayers who itemize. Here’s what to keep in mind:
Business Meals Fully Deductible in 2021 and 2022
Beginning January 1, 2021, and extending through December 31, 2022, businesses can claim 100% of their food or beverage expenses paid to restaurants as long as the business owner (or an employee of the business) is present when food or beverages are provided, and the expense is not lavish or extravagant under the circumstances.
Important Information About Charitable Giving This Year
For many nonprofits and taxpayers alike, Giving Tuesday is the start of the charitable giving season. While most organizations are legitimate, taxpayers should always research charities before donating. It is also a good idea to understand the expanded tax benefits of giving to causes that mean something to you personally. Taxpayers should also know that they may be able to deduct donations to tax-exempt organizations on their tax returns.
Tax Benefits of Health Savings Accounts
While similar to FSAs (Flexible Savings Plans) in that both allow pretax contributions, Health Savings Accounts or HSAs offer taxpayers several additional tax benefits. Let’s take a look:
Tax Planning: Facts About Credits and Deductions
Tax credits and deductions can mean more money in a taxpayer’s pocket. Here are a few facts about credits and deductions that help taxpayers with their year-round tax planning:
Which Educator Expenses Are Tax Deductible and Which are Not?
Teachers and other educators should remember that they can deduct certain unreimbursed expenses such as classroom supplies, training, and travel — even when schools switched to hybrid or remote learning models during the pandemic last spring. Deducting these expenses helps reduce the amount of tax owed when filing a tax return.
Deduct 100% of Your Employee Recreation and Parties
You take Bill, your best customer, to the local country club and treat him to 18 holes of golf. The golf produces a zero deduction.
Compare this.
You take your employees and their spouses and children to the local country club, where they play golf and tennis; swim; and enjoy lunch, dinner, and snacks.
The cost of the country club meals and activity produces a 100 percent tax deduction.1
In this article, you will learn the following:
- What it takes to qualify an employee party for the 100 percent deduction
- What types of employee entertainment qualify for this 100 percent deduction
- How tax law defines entertainment that’s primarily for the benefit of employees
Deductions for Food or Beverages From Restaurants
Beginning January 1, 2021, and extending through December 31, 2022, businesses can claim 100% of their food or beverage expenses paid to restaurants as long as the business owner (or an employee of the business) is present when food or beverages are provided, and the expense is not lavish or extravagant under the circumstances.
Personal Protective Equipment Qualifies for Deduction
As a quick reminder, the purchase of personal protective equipment, such as masks, hand sanitizer, and sanitizing wipes, for the primary purpose of preventing the spread of coronavirus are deductible medical expenses.