Deductions and Write-Offs

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.

Parking or speeding tickets are not deductible.

No. Credit card interest and other personal interest, such as interest on car loans, personal purchases and home equity debt over $100,000, are not deductible.

The $2,500 maximum deduction for interest paid on student loans begins to phase out for a married taxpayers filing a joint returns at $125,000 and phases out completely at $155,000,
For single taxpayers, the phase out range is between $60,000-$75,000 .
If the following 5 criteria apply, then up to $2500 is deductible, Your filing status is not "married filing separately";
You are not claimed as a dependent on someone else's return such as your parents;
You paid interest on a qualified student loan; The payments were during the first 60 months that payments were required to be made;
Your modified income was less than the specific amounts ($150,000 filing status married filing joint and $75,000 single, H of H and qualifying widower). For filing status married filing joint MAGI of $120,000 through $150,000, a phase-out occurs and more than $150,000 no deduction is allowed.
For filing status not married filing joint MAGI of $60,000 through $75,000, a phase-out occurs and more than $75,000 no deduction is allowed.

For contributions of $250 or less, a cancelled check or credit card statement is sufficient.
For contributions of $250 or more, you must have written substantiation from the organization. A cancelled check is not sufficient.

Usually you can use the average (poor, average, perfect condition)fair market value method.
Speak to your local CPA. He/She usually has checklist from a recognized IRS charity such as the Salvation Army with recommended non-cash (clothing) contribution deduction amounts.
When the value of this donation is more than $500, IRS Form 8283 is required to be filled out.

Yes. You must report the total amount of your gambling winnings from Form W-2G as miscellaneous income on IRS Form 1040 page 1. However, you are allowed to deduct gambling losses up to the amount of the winnings as another itemized deduction on IRS Schedule A.

There are a few issues here. First of all, to claim a child as a dependent who earns more than $3700, he must be under age 19 as of the end of the year, unless he is in college full-time. Children under the age of 24 can be claimed as a dependent without an income limitation provided they are full-time college students. Since your child attends college at night, he could be considered full-time only if he takes the number of classes that is required during the day to be considered a full-time student. We advise you to meet with a CPA in your community to ascertain whether it is in your best interest to claim your child. Often students can qualify for financial aid who claim themselves independent from their parents.