Deductions and Write-Offs

Yes. Raffle, lottery and sweepstakes winnings are taxable as any other income on your tax return. Generally the amount reported will represent the prize's fair market value. The costs of the raffle, lottery or sweepstake tickets (to the extent of the winnings)are deductible as a Miscellaneous itemized deduction not subject to the 2 % limitation.

An individual's share of partnership losses (reportable to a partner on a schedule K-1) may not exceed the adjusted basis of the partnership interest. The basis is generally the original capital paid, plus accumulated taxed earnings that have not been withdrawn, less withdrawals.
Partners are subject to the at-risk loss limitation and the passive activity loss limitation rules.
The at-risk limit affects the amount of the loss to the portion that that partner is personally liable for. Generally a passive loss is limited to either passive income or up to $25,000 if there is active participation in a rental real estate activity.
There is no easy way to explain these rules. Please contact a local CPA to determine the deductibility of the loss reported on Schedule K-1. This area of the tax code is quite complex and confusing to many.

In general the costs of commuting between a taxpayer's home and work location are non-deductible personal expenses. There are exceptions to this rule for commuting to a temporary work location.
If you purchase an auto that you use for work (i.e. a salesman)you may claim the actual unreimbursed expenses or the IRS mileage allowance, whichever is higher. The expense is claimed on IRS Form 2106.
There are limitations on the actual expenses that may be taken each year. In the current year, the standard mileage rate is 56.5 cents per milefor business miles driven.
The maximum first year actual depreciation deduction is $11,160 if bonus depreciation claimed. Speak to your local CPA if you are commuting to a temporary work location or need guidance in your first year actual verses mileage expense election.

Yes. You may take the full year's exemption amount even though she only lived with you for 2 months of the tax year. A full year's exemption amount would also be available for dependents born during the year.

If you are filing as married filing separately, both persons must file using either the standard or itemized deduction amounts. One spouse cannot use the standard deduction and the other use the itemized deduction amount.

The standard deduction is $12,600 for married couples filing a joint return and qualifying widow's plus $1,250 once they reach age 65
$6,300 for singles and married individuals filing separately plus 1,550 once they reach age 65,
$9,300 for heads of household plus $1,550 once they reach 65,
Nearly two out of three taxpayers take the standard deduction, rather than itemizing deductions with expenses such as mortgage interest, real estate taxes, charitable contributions, medical expenses and state and local taxes.

The 2013 Personal Exemption amount is $3,900 per exemption.
The 2012 Personal Exemption amount is $3,800 per exemption.

Taxpayers have an option for this write-off. It is claimed primarily for those who live in states that do not impose an income tax. You must choose between deducting state and local income taxes or state and local sales taxes. For most citizens of income tax states, the income tax is a bigger paid amount than the sales tax, so the income-tax deduction is a better deal.
The IRS has tables that show how much residents of various states can deduct, based on their income and state and local sales tax rates. But if you purchased a vehicle, boat or airplane, you get to add the sales tax you paid to the amount shown in the IRS table for your state.
Taxpayers can elect to deduct state and local general sales taxes, instead of state and local income taxes, as an itemized deduction on Schedule A (Form 1040), Itemized Deductions.

No. Under current law these withholding deductions are not deductible.