Deductions and Write-Offs

Dues paid to Country Clubs, lodges, fraternal orders are not deductible.

Termite or moth damage is not deductible.

A public official is not allowed to deduct campaign expenses for election or reelection.
A public official is allowed to deduct expenses directly related to performance of their duties in office that are not reimbursed.

For the interest on a boat loan to be deductible it has to have sleeping, cooking and toilet facilities and local law must allow for such use.

In 2011, Mortgage Insurance Premiums paid in connection with acquisition indebtedness on a taxpayers primary or second home are deductible as mortgage residence interest.
The deduction phases out based on your filing status and AGI.

Bonus depreciation is an accelerated deduction in the first year purchase of an asset. It is an additional incentive to purchase business assets and considered a measure of relief for small businesses that want to buy additional equipment.
in 2013, 50% is allowed.

Common expenses are:
Work clothes suitable for street wear
Commuting expenses
Credit card fees or Interest
Club dues
Divorce Legal fees
Political contributions
Cost of entertaining friends
Telephone expenses of first main line
Tax exempt income expenses
Funeral expenses
Gambling losses in excess of gambling winnings
Hobby expenses in excess of hobby income
Homeowner's association assessments
Pet and animal expenses
Residence repairs and improvements
Residence Loss on Sale
Life Insurance
Parking tickets and fines

Common deductions are:
Employee business expenses including travel, 50% of meals & entertainment, phone, small tools, supplies, professional subscriptions and books, home office deductions, depreciation on business use of auto's and equipment, small tools
Safety equipment such as hard hats, gloves, steel tipped boots, goggles,
Educational expenses not claimed as a credit
Educational expenses not claimed as a credit
Tax preparation and tax assistance fees
Union and professional dues
Job hunting
Tax preparation and tax assistance fees
Educational expenses not claimed as a credit
Seminar and Conferences that are business related
Appraisal fees on charitable donations
Credit card convenience fee for maintaining investments
Investment expenses
SEP,Simple,IRA custodial fees paid with funds outside the account
Legal fees for collecting taxable income
Loss on deposits in a bankrupt financial institution
Medical exams required by employers
Safe deposit box fees
Trust administration fees
Uniform purchase and maintenance if required and not suitable for street wear

Common fully deductible deductions not subject to the 2% AGI limitation are:
Amortizable premium on taxable bonds
Casualty and theft loss from income producing property
Estate taxes on income in respect of a decedent
Gambling losses, up to the amount of gambling winnings
Special job related expenses of the handicapped
Unrecovered cost of annuities on a decedent's final return