Ask a CPA

Political contributions are not deductible.

Common nondeductible expenses are:
Work clothes suitable for street wear
Commuting expenses
Credit card fees or Interest
Club dues
Divorce Legal fees
Political contributions
Cost of entertaining friends
Telephone expenses of first main line
Tax exempt income expenses
Funeral expenses
Gambling losses in excess of gambling winnings
Hobby expenses in excess of hobby income
Homeowner's association assessments
Pet and animal expenses
Residence repairs and improvements
Residence Loss on Sale
Life Insurance
Parking tickets and fines

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

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

Generally, only estate planning fees related to tax matters are deductible. The fees need to be separated on the bill between nontax advice and tax advice and tax planning matters.

Safe deposit or vault expenses are itemized deduction subject to the 2% AGI limitation.

The costs of purchase and maintenance of a uniform are deductible.
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, Individuals can deduct legal expenses incurred in attempting to produce or collect taxable income or paid in connection with the collection, refund or determination of tax.
You may not deduct legal fees incurred in obtaining tax-free damages for physical injury or sickness.
Businesses can deduct legal fees for the production or collection of income or for the management of income producing property.

Punitive damages are taxable even if they relate to a physical injury or sickness. An exception to this exists for damages awarded under a state wrongful death statute.

Generally damages received for Wrongful termination are taxable as compensation.