Strange Tax Deductions

Many people are fascinated with strange laws, but this fascination usually ends before tax laws come into the discussion. This means that people not only miss out on some truly amusing tax regulations, but they also often miss out on tax deductions and tax help that could greatly reduce the amount that they pay each year.  Here are a few odd deductions that can serve to either amuse, or assist you, as you file your return this year.

• If you are relocating for your job, you can deduct the moving expenses, to a point. This is usually common knowledge. However, most people don’t know that the cost of moving your pet or pets is also deductable. Add your furry creature’s stress to your own and write off more of your return.
• If you have a child with an overbite, sign them up for clarinet lessons. Due to a 1962 provision that was added to US tax law after a distinguished orthodontist made a convincing case that playing the clarinet could lessen an overbite, both the clarinet and regular music lessons became a legal tax deduction.
• If you have a medical condition that spending time in water could help alleviate, you could install a home swimming pool and deduct the cost on your return.
• If you have an addiction to cigarettes, you can deduct nicotine patches, stop-smoking aids and smoking cessation programs from your taxes. This not only helps you cut down on a bad habit, but it also helps cut down your tax total.

If you think any of these apply to you, consult a tax attorney or a tax relief lawyer before claiming them. Unusual deductions can be a red flag for IRS agents, and may trigger a lawyer, so you want to be sure the rest of your return is correct and honest before claiming one of these.