Ask a CPA

The purpose of a business plan is to guide you in successfully operating a business. Preparing a plan forces the entrepreneur to consider all aspects of the business and to confront any problems the plan may show you along the way. FundingRoadmap.com

Each expense should be listed on a proposed budget sheet. Costs should be researched. Some items on your budget sheet will be "fixed costs" in that they have no relationship to the cost of your product or service. Other costs are called variable costs as they are directly related to the services or quantity of products you sell. To learn more go to FundingRoadmap.com

Gambling losses are allowed as a fully deductible itemized deduction up to the amount of gambling winnings.

The dry cleaning and maintenance costs of your work clothes such as suits and dresses are not deductible. To be deductible the clothing must be not be adaptable to everyday wear and be required as a condition of employment. The dry cleaning and maintenance costs of uniforms and special clothing such as for nurse’s, police, and fireman are deductible.

Generally, you may not deduct legal fees paid for arranging a divorce, separation agreement or for defending your spouse's demand for alimony.
Only the fees to collect alimony or for tax advice are deductible as a miscellaneous itemized deduction subject to the 2% AGI limitation.
Legal fees relating to child support are not deductible.

Job hunting expenses looking for a new job in your present line of work is deductible as an itemized deduction subject to the 2% of AGI limitation.
Expenses would include the costs or resumes, agency fees, transportation to interviews, newspapers bought for employment advertisements.
Expenses incurred looking for a new job in a new trade or business is not deductible.

Generally, only mortgage interest is deductible
Interest paid on car loans is not deductible except for business use of an auto for self-employed individuals.

Generally, only mortgage interest is deductible
Credit card interest for nonbusiness purchases are not deductible.

Common deductions subject to the 2% AGI limitation are:
Employee business expenses including travel, 50% of meals & entertainment, phone, small tools, supplies, professional subscriptions and books, depreciation on business use of auto's and equipment, small tools
Safety equipment such as hard hats, gloves, steel tipped boots, gogles,
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
Home office deductions

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