Deductions and Write-Offs

Your employer will combine the amount of any reimbursement or other expense allowance paid to you under a nonaccountable plan with your wages, salary, or other pay and report the total in box 1 of your Form W-2.
You can deduct your expenses regardless of whether they are more than, less than, or equal to your reimbursement.
Reimbursements you received for nondeductible expenses are treated as paid under a nonaccountable plan. You must include them in your income. You must include in your income reimbursements your employer gave you for expenses of education that you need to meet the minimum educational requirements for your job, or is part of a program of study that can qualify you for a new trade or business.

You must include in your income reimbursements your employer gave you for expenses of education that you need to meet the minimum educational requirements for your job, or is part of a program of study that can qualify you for a new trade or business.
Your employer will combine the amount of any reimbursement or other expense allowance paid to you under a nonaccountable plan with your wages, salary, or other pay and report the total in box 1 of your Form W-2.

If you are reimbursed under an accountable plan, your employer should Not include any reimbursement in your income in box 1 of your Form W-2.
To be an accountable plan, your employer's reimbursement arrangement must require you to meet all three of the following rules.
Your expenses must have a business connection—that is, your expenses must be deductible under the rules for qualifying work-related education.
You must adequately account to your employer for your expenses within a reasonable period of time.
You must return any reimbursement or allowance in excess of the expenses accounted for within a reasonable period of time.
If your expenses are more than your reimbursement, you can deduct your excess expenses on Form 2106.

Homeowners association fees for maintaining common areas are not deductible.
Any fees specifically identified as your portion of taxes and/or interest would be allowable.
If you get a bill without a breakdown, none of the fee is deductible.

The cost of lodging you (or anyone accompanying a patient like a parent or spouse) stay in while away from home for medical care is deductible, up to a maximum of $50 per person per night. Note that you can deduct the cost of the hotel room, but not the food bill.

Be sure to include the portion of your annual maintenance fee assessment for a time-share condo, which represents your share of the property’s real estate taxes.
This amount should be identified on your annual billing statement.

You can also deduct seminars, workshops, software, books, reports, newsletters and publications that provide tax planning and preparation advice and information.

IRS Publication 526 and 561.

A partial list of acknowledged Registered organizations
Churches, temples, synagogues, mosques and other religious organizations.
Public charities such as United Way, Salvation Army, Goodwill Industries, Red Cross, Boys and Girl scouts, Boys and Girl Clubs of America, CARE etc.
War veterans' groups
Nonprofit volunteer fire companies, hospitals and schools.
Public Parks and recreation facilities.