SCH Blog
The investment interest expense deduction: Less beneficial than you might think
Investment interest — interest on debt used to buy assets held for investment, such as margin debt used to buy securities — generally is deductible for both regular tax and alternative minimum tax purposes. But special rules apply that can make this itemized deduction less beneficial than you might think. Limits on the deduction First, Read More »
Deduction for state and local sales tax benefits some, but not all, taxpayers
The break allowing taxpayers to take an itemized deduction for state and local sales taxes in lieu of state and local income taxes was made “permanent” a little over a year ago. This break can be valuable to those residing in states with no or low income taxes or who purchase major items, such as Read More »
Help prevent tax identity theft by filing early
If you’re like many Americans, you might not start thinking about filing your tax return until close to this year’s April 18 deadline. You might even want to file for an extension so you don’t have to send your return to the IRS until October 16. But there’s another date you should keep in mind: Read More »
Are you able to deduct medical expenses on your tax return?
For many people, the cost of medical care keeps going up. So if possible, you should find ways to claim tax breaks related to health care. Unfortunately, it can be difficult because there’s a threshold for deducting itemized medical expenses that can be tough to meet. To make matters worse, the threshold for senior taxpayers Read More »