Top Ten Credits/Deductions That May Save You Tax Dollars
National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP) Appleton, WI – As our parents used to tell us
when we were young, “Every little bit helps.” Of course, they were referring to putting money in the
piggy bank, but the sage advice can also apply to saving money on your tax returns. Here is a
quick list of tax credits and deductions to check out before sending in your tax return so you don’t
miss any opportunities to save.
1) Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) – This credit applies to low-income, employed individuals and
families. The credit is based on income and family size, and if the EITC amount exceeds the owed
amount, it may result in a refund for those who qualify.
2) Child and Dependent Care Credit – This credit is for care expenses for children under age 13 or
for a disabled spouse or dependent, so that a taxpayer can go to work. It is subject to limitations.
3) Child Tax Credit – The maximum amount of this credit is $1,000 for each qualifying child under
age 17 and can be used in combination with the Child and Dependent Care Credit.
4) Adoption Credit – If you are an adoptive parent, you may be eligible for a credit of up to $11,390
in 2007 of qualifying expenses for a qualifying child. For special needs children, you do not need
to meet the qualifying expense criteria.
5) Educator Expense Deduction – Those who are employed as educators through grade 12 and
teach at least 900 hours in a year may receive a deduction for up to $250 for unreimbursed
expenses used for the sake of the children. This deduction is only good until December 31, 2007.
6) Education Credits – Two credits are available for those who pay higher education costs – the
Hope Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit. The Hope is for payment of the first two years of
tuition for eligible students you claim on your tax return, and Lifetime Learning is for all post-
secondary education tuition for an unlimited number of years. Taxpayers cannot claim both credits
for the same student in one tax year, and the credit can be claimed only on the return declaring
the student as a dependent.
7) Medical and Dental Deductions – Qualified expenses for all of your claimed dependents
(including any dependents deceased during the tax year) count toward your eligible deduction.
Eligible expenses include insurance premiums, uninsured medical expenses, treatments not
covered by insurance, travel for medical care, medically necessary equipment, and more.
8) Health Coverage Tax Credit – This new tax credit can pay up to two-thirds of health plan
premiums for individuals who lost their jobs due to the effects of international trade and meet
certain criteria, and those who receive benefits from the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
(PBGC) and are at least 55 years old.
9) Credit for the Elderly and Disabled – If you are a U.S. citizen or resident age 65 or older, and
retired on permanent and total disability, look into this credit.
10) Retirement Savings Contribution Credit – For those with qualified retirement savings
contributions including traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, SEPs, or SIMPLE plans, a percentage of
contributions may help you save on your taxes. Taxpayers who are at least age 18 at year-end,
not a student or claimed on someone else’s tax return as a dependent, are eligible for this credit if
income is below a specified amount. FYI, you can still contribute to an IRA for 2007 up until April
15, 2008.
If all of these credits and deductions have you scratching your head in confusion, don’t worry. A
reputable tax preparer can help, often for little more than the cost of do-it-yourself tax software and
the charge for e-filing, plus you don’t have to do the work! Professional tax preparers are experts
who keep up-to-date year-round on tax law changes. They can save you time and offer insight on
how to use the tax breaks available to save you money.
National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP) Appleton, WI – As our parents used to tell us
when we were young, “Every little bit helps.” Of course, they were referring to putting money in the
piggy bank, but the sage advice can also apply to saving money on your tax returns. Here is a
quick list of tax credits and deductions to check out before sending in your tax return so you don’t
miss any opportunities to save.
1) Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) – This credit applies to low-income, employed individuals and
families. The credit is based on income and family size, and if the EITC amount exceeds the owed
amount, it may result in a refund for those who qualify.
2) Child and Dependent Care Credit – This credit is for care expenses for children under age 13 or
for a disabled spouse or dependent, so that a taxpayer can go to work. It is subject to limitations.
3) Child Tax Credit – The maximum amount of this credit is $1,000 for each qualifying child under
age 17 and can be used in combination with the Child and Dependent Care Credit.
4) Adoption Credit – If you are an adoptive parent, you may be eligible for a credit of up to $11,390
in 2007 of qualifying expenses for a qualifying child. For special needs children, you do not need
to meet the qualifying expense criteria.
5) Educator Expense Deduction – Those who are employed as educators through grade 12 and
teach at least 900 hours in a year may receive a deduction for up to $250 for unreimbursed
expenses used for the sake of the children. This deduction is only good until December 31, 2007.
6) Education Credits – Two credits are available for those who pay higher education costs – the
Hope Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit. The Hope is for payment of the first two years of
tuition for eligible students you claim on your tax return, and Lifetime Learning is for all post-
secondary education tuition for an unlimited number of years. Taxpayers cannot claim both credits
for the same student in one tax year, and the credit can be claimed only on the return declaring
the student as a dependent.
7) Medical and Dental Deductions – Qualified expenses for all of your claimed dependents
(including any dependents deceased during the tax year) count toward your eligible deduction.
Eligible expenses include insurance premiums, uninsured medical expenses, treatments not
covered by insurance, travel for medical care, medically necessary equipment, and more.
8) Health Coverage Tax Credit – This new tax credit can pay up to two-thirds of health plan
premiums for individuals who lost their jobs due to the effects of international trade and meet
certain criteria, and those who receive benefits from the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
(PBGC) and are at least 55 years old.
9) Credit for the Elderly and Disabled – If you are a U.S. citizen or resident age 65 or older, and
retired on permanent and total disability, look into this credit.
10) Retirement Savings Contribution Credit – For those with qualified retirement savings
contributions including traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, SEPs, or SIMPLE plans, a percentage of
contributions may help you save on your taxes. Taxpayers who are at least age 18 at year-end,
not a student or claimed on someone else’s tax return as a dependent, are eligible for this credit if
income is below a specified amount. FYI, you can still contribute to an IRA for 2007 up until April
15, 2008.
If all of these credits and deductions have you scratching your head in confusion, don’t worry. A
reputable tax preparer can help, often for little more than the cost of do-it-yourself tax software and
the charge for e-filing, plus you don’t have to do the work! Professional tax preparers are experts
who keep up-to-date year-round on tax law changes. They can save you time and offer insight on
how to use the tax breaks available to save you money.
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