Tax season is upon us again and it’s crucial you understand what you can deduct so you can reduce your bill — and maybe even get a refund.
Explore this guide to 2022 tax deductions to help ensure you don’t pay more than you should.
[READ: Why Tax Refunds May Be Smaller in 2023.]
What Is a Tax Deduction?
A tax deduction is an amount you can subtract from your gross income before calculating your tax liability. For example, if a single taxpayer with $75,000 in 2022 gross income decides to take the standard deduction, they would subtract $12,950, leaving $62,050 subject to taxes.
You can itemize your deductions or take the standard deduction. According to the IRS, about 90% of taxpayers choose the latter.
Additionally, you may be able to take Schedule 1 deductions, also known as above the line deductions.
[Read: What’s My Tax Bracket?]
Itemized vs. Standard Deductions
The standard deduction is a set amount you deduct from your gross income. Each year, the IRS releases the updated standard deduction amounts, which vary by tax filing status.
Itemized deductions are qualified expenses you can subtract from your adjusted gross income. If you go this route, you’ll deduct the actual amounts you spent in categories like charitable donations and mortgage interest.
Eric Bronnenkant, certified public accountant and head of tax at Betterment, says individuals who itemize are often homeowners and high-income earners.
At the end of the day, however, the best option is the one that saves you the most money.
“Every year, we look at the standard deduction compared with the itemized deduction, and we’re always going to take what’s bigger,” Helena Swyter, founder of SweeterCPA, says.
“You don’t have to lock into one or the other. Every year can be different,” she adds.
[READ: How to Choose Your Tax Filing Status.]
Standard Deduction Amounts for Tax Year 2022
These are the standard deduction amounts for tax year 2022:
— Married couples filing jointly: $25,900, an $800 increase from 2021.
— Single taxpayers: $12,950, a $400 increase from 2021.
— Married couples filing separately: $12,950, a $400 increase from 2021.
— Heads of household: $19,400, a $600 increase from 2021.
[READ: Is It Better to File Taxes Jointly or Separately?]
Itemized Deductions for 2022
If you decide to itemize, the available deductions for tax year 2022 include:
Charitable contributions: To qualify, you must have made charitable contributions in cash or other property to an eligible organization during the 2022 calendar year. You can generally deduct up to 50% of your AGI without regard for net operating loss carrybacks.
Mortgage interest: For debt accrued after Dec. 15, 2017, you can deduct home mortgage interest on your first $750,000 (or $375,000 if you’re married filing separately). If you took out a home loan before Dec. 15, 2017, the previous maximum of $1 million (or $500,000 if married filing separately) still applies.
Home equity loan interest: You can deduct qualified home equity loan interest if you used the loan proceeds to buy, build or improve the property that secures the debt. Some limits apply.
Medical and dental expenses: You can deduct qualified medical and dental expenses for you, your spouse and your dependents that exceed 7.5% of your AGI. These include charges for the diagnoses, treatments or preventive care but do not include unnecessary procedures like cosmetic surgery.
Casualty and theft losses: You may be able to deduct casualty and theft losses if they resulted from a federally declared disaster. Each casualty or theft loss must be more than $100, and the total of all the losses must be more than 10% of the amount on line 11 of your Form 1040 or 1040-SR.
State and local taxes: You can deduct up to $10,000 (or $5,000 if married filing separately) of the state and local taxes you paid in 2022. The combined limit applies to personal property, plus sales and income taxes you paid on the state and local levels.
Other: The IRS allows a variety of “other” deductions including gambling losses, certain unrecovered pension investments and more.
Above the Line Deductions for Tax Year 2022
Taxpayers can also take certain above the line deductions on the 1040 Schedule 1, including the following for tax year 2022:
Alimony: You can deduct alimony payments for divorce agreements executed before Dec. 31, 2018.
Educator expenses: Educators can deduct up to $300 of unreimbursed expenses for items such as books, supplies, equipment and professional development courses.
Health savings account contributions: A health savings account is a dedicated savings account for individuals enrolled in a qualified high-deductible health insurance plan. These accounts receive special tax treatment, including the option to deduct contributions up to $3,650 for single filers and up to $7,300 for families in 2022. Consider taking advantage of this if you contributed to your HSA directly. If you fund an HSA through your employer, you can deduct your contributions directly from your paychecks instead.
IRA contributions: Individuals were allowed to contribute up to $6,000 to a traditional IRA in 2022 or up to $7,000 if they were 50 or older. If you and your spouse were covered by an employer-sponsored retirement plan, you can deduct IRA contributions up to the annual limit.
Self-employment deductions: Self-employed taxpayers can take advantage of a number of deductions, such as health insurance premiums, dedicated home office and the deductible part of self-employment taxes.
Student loan interest: Borrowers who paid interest on a qualified student loan in 2022 can deduct the lesser of $2,500 or the amount of interest they actually paid during the year. This deduction is gradually reduced and eventually eliminated, however, as a taxpayer’s modified AGI reaches the annual limit.
Consider Using a Tax Pro
If you’re not sure how to maximize your deductions to legally minimize your tax liability, it may be worthwhile to consult an accountant or professional tax advisor. They can help you understand which route is best while ensuring you don’t miss any lesser-known deductions.
More from U.S. News
What Is the Earned Income Tax Credit and Who Qualifies?
How to Avoid IRS Tax Refund Delays in 2023
A Guide to Tax Deductions for the Self-Employed
Your Guide to Tax Year 2022 Deductions originally appeared on usnews.com
Update 02/27/23: This story was published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information.
