Personal Taxes

No. House repairs and improvements on a personal residence are not deductible in the year paid.
While the repairs are not deductible, the improvements should be added to the residence basis to be used in the eventual gain or loss on the sale of the residence calculation.
Generally, residence basis would be the initial cost plus improvements from inception. Generally, Costs for improving and repairing your rental property are deductible in the year expensed.

Yes. Unemployment benefits are fully taxable and should be included on your personal tax return.

Severance or dismissal pay received upon termination is taxable, even if a signed waiver releasing the employer from future damage claims was given to the employer.
Payments made for personal injury damages are non-taxable.

The property is considered taxable wages and reportable at its fair market value. Generally receipt of company stock as payment for services is included in taxable wages in the year it is received by employee.
If restrictions apply to the stock, it is not includable.

Worker's Compensation for job- related illness or injury is non-taxable.
The Worker's Compensation payments must be made under the authority of a law or regulation that provides compensation for on-the-job illness or injury.
Checks paid under a labor agreement do not qualify as non-taxable Worker's Compensation. If your employer continues to pay your wages while you receive Worker's Compensation and also requires that you turn over the Worker's Compensation payments, then you are taxed on the difference between what was paid to you and what was returned.

No. Sick leave payments for NYC line-of-duty injuries are non-taxable.

Legal damages or compensation awarded on account of a physical injury or physical sickness such as in an auto accident, are non-taxable.
Awards for emotional distress attributable to a physical injury or sickness are also non-taxable.
Generally, punitive damages are taxable even if they relate to a physical injury or sickness. Speak to your local CPA about the taxability of the award you received.

Income averaging is only available for farmers or Fisherman. Farmers are individuals, partnerships, corporations or syndicates that cultivate land, or raise or harvest any agricultural or horticultural commodity either as owners or tenants. A farmer may elect to average the current year's income over the three prior years using IRS Schedule J. Income averaging may not be elected by estates or trusts. Speak to your local CPA if you are a farmer or fisherman who is considering income averaging as a tax strategy.