Discovering Above The Line Tax Reductions for your return in 2010

When it comes to federal business taxes, your goal needs to be to pay just what is owed, nothing more. Because your tax liability is determined by your income, the best way to lower the taxes you pay is to minimize your income. Of course, you need to do this without illegally reducing your income. You can do this by taking legal above-the-line tax deductions.

Above-the-line-tax deductions are more like tax deductions that are adjustments to your income. They’re labeled above-the-line because they are subtracted on the front page of the tax return just above the bottom line. These deductions minimize your adjustable gross income and in the end decrease your tax liability.

The list below are some above-the-line tax deductions that are discussed in our Tax Guide which you should take if you are eligible.

• Moving expenses, if you moved for job purposes.

• Self-employment. Half the total of taxes that are paid to Social Security and Medicare.

• Self-employed retirement plans.

• Self-employed health insurance. The total amount you pay in health insurance fees not only for yourself, but for your spouse and dependents as well. Even contributions towards long-term care policies are included.

• Penalties paid for early withdrawal of savings. The account manager of such an account should send you a 1099-INT or 1099-OID form including the early withdrawal penalty.

• Alimony payments. If you became divorced and funding alimony, you can deduct these payments from your income. You must include your ex-spouse’s social security number; or the deduction might be disallowed.

• IRA deductions for amounts contributed to traditional IRAs for people who are self-employed.

• Student loan interest. Up to $2,500 in student loan interest paid can be deducted for single filers making $65,000 or less or joint filers making $135,000 or less.

• Jury duty pay if it was turned over to your employer.

You can get many of these above-the-line tax deductions by utilizing the long form, 1040. If you would rather use the short from, 1040A, you may still take some of these deductions. Early account withdrawal penalties, IRA contributions, student loan interest and jury pay are a few of the above-the-line-tax deductions that may be claimed on the 1040A tax return. Consult with your personal tax consultant for more details or check out this Review of Domain Tax Guides.