Tax Deduction Guide 2026
Find every tax deduction and credit you qualify for. Complete guide to 243+ deductions across 18 categories with eligibility requirements and savings estimates.
May 2026 source review
Deduction hub organized by tax form behavior, not just keyword volume
LevyIO separates above-the-line deductions, itemized deductions, credits, exclusions, business expenses, rental rules, and strategy pages because each category changes tax liability in a different place on the return.
State-specific workflows
Deduction rules that need a state return check
Some deductions are federal-first but still need a separate state review for add-backs, retirement-income treatment, itemized deduction conformity, or local documentation.
California teacher expense deduction
Federal K-12 educator expense rules plus California Schedule CA treatment.
Volunteer mileageHawaii charitable mileage deduction
14 cents per charitable mile, parking, tolls, itemizing, and Hawaii return checks.
QCD planningIllinois qualified charitable distribution
$111,000 IRA direct-to-charity limit, RMD treatment, and Illinois retirement-income context.
QCD planningUtah qualified charitable distribution
Salt Lake City charity verification, IRA custodian workflow, and Utah retirement-credit checks.
Business
(71)Employee Wages and Benefits
Illustrative savings: $50,000/yr
Section 179 Expensing
Illustrative savings: $25,000/yr
Max: $2,560,000
Employer-Provided Childcare Credit
Illustrative savings: $25,000/yr
Max: $150,000
Section 179 Expense Deduction
Illustrative savings: $25,000/yr
Max: $1,160,000
Bonus Depreciation
Illustrative savings: $20,000/yr
Business Energy Investment Tax Credit (ITC)
Illustrative savings: $20,000/yr
Net Operating Loss Carryforward
Illustrative savings: $20,000/yr
Inventory Costs
Illustrative savings: $20,000/yr
Qualified Business Income (QBI)
Illustrative savings: $15,000/yr
Research and Experimentation Costs
Illustrative savings: $15,000/yr
Energy Efficient Commercial Building
Illustrative savings: $15,000/yr
Max: $5
Research & Development Tax Credit
Illustrative savings: $12,000/yr
Qualified Business Income (QBI/199A) Deduction
Illustrative savings: $12,000/yr
Losses from Partnerships and S-Corps
Illustrative savings: $10,000/yr
Contract Labor
Illustrative savings: $10,000/yr
Qualified Business Income (QBI)
Illustrative savings: $8,000/yr
Net Operating Loss (NOL) Deduction
Illustrative savings: $8,000/yr
Depreciation (Business Property)
Illustrative savings: $8,000/yr
Rent on Business Property
Illustrative savings: $8,000/yr
Commercial Clean Vehicle Credit
Illustrative savings: $7,500/yr
Max: $40,000
Clean Vehicle Deduction (Business)
Illustrative savings: $7,500/yr
Business Vehicle Deduction
Illustrative savings: $6,500/yr
Standard Mileage Deduction
Illustrative savings: $6,000/yr
Domestic Production Activities Deduction
Illustrative savings: $5,000/yr
Employee Retention Credit (ERC)
Illustrative savings: $5,000/yr
Max: $7,000
Business Startup Costs Deduction
Illustrative savings: $5,000/yr
Max: $5,000
Commission Expenses
Illustrative savings: $5,000/yr
Soil and Water Conservation
Illustrative savings: $5,000/yr
Startup Costs Deduction
Illustrative savings: $5,000/yr
Max: $5,000
Reforestation Amortization
Illustrative savings: $5,000/yr
Max: $10,000
Business Interest Expense
Illustrative savings: $5,000/yr
Domestic Production Activities
Illustrative savings: $5,000/yr
Business Equipment Depreciation
Illustrative savings: $5,000/yr
Business Use of Personal Vehicle
Illustrative savings: $4,500/yr
Business Travel Deduction
Illustrative savings: $4,000/yr
Business Interest Deduction
Illustrative savings: $4,000/yr
Small Employer Health Insurance Credit
Illustrative savings: $4,000/yr
Business Startup Costs
Illustrative savings: $3,500/yr
Max: $5,000
Self-Employment Tax Deduction
Illustrative savings: $3,500/yr
Listed Property Depreciation
Illustrative savings: $3,500/yr
Business Travel Expenses
Illustrative savings: $3,500/yr
Max: $10,000
Business Insurance Deduction
Illustrative savings: $3,000/yr
Advertising & Marketing
Illustrative savings: $3,000/yr
Business Bad Debt Deduction
Illustrative savings: $3,000/yr
Bad Debt Deduction
Illustrative savings: $3,000/yr
Legal and Professional Fees
Illustrative savings: $3,000/yr
Shipping and Postage
Illustrative savings: $3,000/yr
Advertising and Marketing Costs
Illustrative savings: $3,000/yr
Business Meals Deduction
Illustrative savings: $2,500/yr
Professional Services
Illustrative savings: $2,500/yr
Disabled Access Credit
Illustrative savings: $2,500/yr
Max: $5,000
Self-Employment Tax Deduction
Illustrative savings: $2,500/yr
Disabled Access Credit (Form 8826)
Illustrative savings: $2,500/yr
Max: $5,000
Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)
Illustrative savings: $2,400/yr
Max: $9,600
Business Education
Illustrative savings: $2,000/yr
Cleaning and Maintenance
Illustrative savings: $2,000/yr
Utilities for Business
Illustrative savings: $2,000/yr
Business Meals Deduction
Illustrative savings: $2,000/yr
Business Insurance Premiums
Illustrative savings: $2,000/yr
Organizational Costs
Illustrative savings: $2,000/yr
Max: $5,000
Office Supplies & Equipment
Illustrative savings: $1,500/yr
Professional Development Deduction
Illustrative savings: $1,500/yr
Simplified Home Office Deduction
Illustrative savings: $1,500/yr
Max: $1,500
Business Phone & Internet
Illustrative savings: $1,200/yr
Office Supplies and Expenses
Illustrative savings: $1,200/yr
Business Phone and Internet
Illustrative savings: $1,200/yr
Professional Licenses and Fees
Illustrative savings: $800/yr
Subscriptions and Dues
Illustrative savings: $600/yr
Vehicle Registration Fees (Business)
Illustrative savings: $500/yr
Business Gifts Deduction
Illustrative savings: $500/yr
Max: $25
Bank Fees and Service Charges
Illustrative savings: $300/yr
Charitable
(14)Conservation Easement Deduction
Illustrative savings: $25,000/yr
Charitable Remainder Trust
Illustrative savings: $15,000/yr
Charitable Donations of Appreciated Stock
Illustrative savings: $10,000/yr
Donating Appreciated Stock
Illustrative savings: $8,000/yr
Charitable Cash Donations Deduction
Illustrative savings: $5,500/yr
Donor-Advised Fund Contributions
Illustrative savings: $5,000/yr
Charitable Donation Bunching Strategy
Illustrative savings: $4,000/yr
Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)
Illustrative savings: $3,000/yr
Max: $111,000
Charitable Non-Cash Donations
Illustrative savings: $2,500/yr
Cash Charitable Donations
Illustrative savings: $1,500/yr
Non-Cash Charitable Donations
Illustrative savings: $800/yr
Volunteer Out-of-Pocket Expenses
Illustrative savings: $300/yr
Charitable Driving Deduction
Illustrative savings: $200/yr
Above-the-Line Charitable Deduction
Illustrative savings: $75/yr
Max: $300
Education
(18)Qualified Tuition Reduction
Illustrative savings: $8,000/yr
Student Loan Forgiveness Tax Exclusion
Illustrative savings: $5,000/yr
Employer-Required Education
Illustrative savings: $3,000/yr
American Opportunity Tax Credit
Illustrative savings: $2,200/yr
Max: $2,500
Tuition and Fees (Lifetime Learning)
Illustrative savings: $2,000/yr
Max: $10,000
Student Loan Interest Deduction
Illustrative savings: $1,800/yr
Max: $2,500
Lifetime Learning Credit
Illustrative savings: $1,500/yr
Max: $2,000
Employer Education Assistance
Illustrative savings: $1,155/yr
Max: $5,250
529 Plan Contributions
Illustrative savings: $1,000/yr
Student Loan Interest Deduction
Illustrative savings: $550/yr
Max: $2,500
Education Savings Bond Interest
Illustrative savings: $500/yr
Federal Work-Study Earnings
Illustrative savings: $500/yr
Education Savings Bond Interest Exclusion
Illustrative savings: $500/yr
Coverdell Education Savings Account Tax Benefits
Illustrative savings: $400/yr
Max: $2,000
Coverdell Education Savings Account
Illustrative savings: $300/yr
Max: $2,000
Educator Expense Deduction
Illustrative savings: $300/yr
Max: $300
Educator Classroom Expenses
Illustrative savings: $300/yr
Max: $300
Educator Expense Deduction
Illustrative savings: $66/yr
Max: $300
Employment
(1)Family
(12)Adoption Tax Credit
Illustrative savings: $10,000/yr
Max: $17,670
Alimony Deduction (Pre-2019)
Illustrative savings: $5,000/yr
Employer Adoption Assistance Exclusion
Illustrative savings: $4,000/yr
Max: $17,670
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
Illustrative savings: $3,500/yr
Max: $7,430
Qualifying Surviving Spouse
Illustrative savings: $3,000/yr
Kiddie Tax Planning
Illustrative savings: $2,500/yr
Child Tax Credit
Illustrative savings: $2,000/yr
Max: $2,000
Head of Household Filing Status
Illustrative savings: $2,000/yr
Education Credits for Dependents
Illustrative savings: $2,000/yr
Max: $2,500
Child & Dependent Care Credit
Illustrative savings: $1,200/yr
Max: $6,000
Household Employer Tax Obligations
Illustrative savings: $1,200/yr
Dependent Care FSA
Illustrative savings: $1,100/yr
Max: $5,000
Giving
(1)Healthcare
(8)Medical and Dental Expenses Deduction
Illustrative savings: $8,000/yr
Self-Employed Health Insurance
Illustrative savings: $8,000/yr
Medical and Dental Expenses
Illustrative savings: $5,000/yr
Health Savings Account (HSA)
Illustrative savings: $4,500/yr
Max: $9,750
HSA Contribution Deduction
Illustrative savings: $3,500/yr
Max: $8,750
Long-Term Care Insurance Premiums
Illustrative savings: $2,500/yr
Max: $5,880
Archer Medical Savings Account
Illustrative savings: $2,500/yr
Max: $5,450
HSA Contributions
Illustrative savings: $900/yr
Max: $4,400
Housing
(26)Home Sale Exclusion
Illustrative savings: $15,000/yr
Max: $500,000
Real Estate Professional Tax Status
Illustrative savings: $15,000/yr
Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit
Illustrative savings: $15,000/yr
Clergy Housing Allowance Exclusion
Illustrative savings: $12,000/yr
Home Mortgage Interest
Illustrative savings: $12,000/yr
Max: $750,000
Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings
Illustrative savings: $10,000/yr
Max: $5
Rental Property Depreciation
Illustrative savings: $8,000/yr
Residential Solar Tax Credit
Illustrative savings: $7,500/yr
Casualty & Theft Loss Deduction
Illustrative savings: $5,000/yr
Rental Property Expenses
Illustrative savings: $5,000/yr
Property Tax Deduction
Illustrative savings: $5,000/yr
Max: $40,400
Military Moving Expenses
Illustrative savings: $4,000/yr
Rental Real Estate Safe Harbor (QBI)
Illustrative savings: $4,000/yr
Mortgage Interest Deduction
Illustrative savings: $3,500/yr
Max: $750,000
Home Accessibility Improvements
Illustrative savings: $3,000/yr
Real Estate Property Taxes
Illustrative savings: $3,000/yr
Max: $40,400
Mortgage Points Deduction
Illustrative savings: $3,000/yr
Energy Efficient Home Credit (45L)
Illustrative savings: $2,500/yr
Max: $5,000
Property Tax Deduction
Illustrative savings: $2,200/yr
Max: $40,400
Mortgage Points Deduction
Illustrative savings: $2,000/yr
Home Energy Tax Credit
Illustrative savings: $1,800/yr
Max: $3,200
Home Equity Loan Interest Deduction
Illustrative savings: $1,800/yr
Max: $750,000
Mortgage Insurance Premiums
Illustrative savings: $1,800/yr
Rental Property Travel
Illustrative savings: $1,500/yr
Home Office Deduction
Illustrative savings: $1,200/yr
PMI Premium Deduction
Illustrative savings: $1,100/yr
International
(3)Investment
(18)QSBS Exclusion (Section 1202)
Illustrative savings: $100,000/yr
Max: $10,000,000
1031 Like-Kind Exchange
Illustrative savings: $30,000/yr
Qualified Opportunity Zone Investment
Illustrative savings: $20,000/yr
Opportunity Zone Investment
Illustrative savings: $10,000/yr
Qualified Opportunity Zone Fund Investment
Illustrative savings: $10,000/yr
Installment Sale
Illustrative savings: $8,000/yr
Tax-Loss Harvesting
Illustrative savings: $5,000/yr
NIIT Planning (3.8% Surtax)
Illustrative savings: $5,000/yr
Passive Activity Loss Deduction
Illustrative savings: $5,000/yr
Max: $25,000
Qualified Dividend Tax Rate
Illustrative savings: $3,000/yr
Worthless Securities Deduction
Illustrative savings: $3,000/yr
Investment Interest Expense
Illustrative savings: $2,000/yr
Investment Interest Expense
Illustrative savings: $1,500/yr
Margin Interest Deduction
Illustrative savings: $1,200/yr
Foreign Tax Credit (Investments)
Illustrative savings: $800/yr
Investment Advisory Fees Deduction
Illustrative savings: $800/yr
Capital Loss Deduction
Illustrative savings: $660/yr
Max: $3,000
Penalty on Early Withdrawal
Illustrative savings: $500/yr
Medical
(14)Premium Tax Credit (ACA)
Illustrative savings: $6,800/yr
Self-Employed Health Insurance
Illustrative savings: $5,000/yr
Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC)
Illustrative savings: $3,200/yr
Medical & Dental Expenses
Illustrative savings: $3,000/yr
Long-Term Care Insurance
Illustrative savings: $2,000/yr
Max: $5,880
Therapy & Counseling
Illustrative savings: $2,000/yr
Medical Expense AGI Threshold Planning
Illustrative savings: $2,000/yr
HSA Contribution Deduction
Illustrative savings: $1,800/yr
Max: $8,750
Medical Equipment & Devices
Illustrative savings: $1,500/yr
Archer Medical Savings Account (MSA)
Illustrative savings: $1,500/yr
Max: $3,850
Dental & Vision Expenses
Illustrative savings: $1,200/yr
Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Illustrative savings: $900/yr
Max: $3,200
Medical Travel Expenses
Illustrative savings: $800/yr
Weight Loss Program (Medical)
Illustrative savings: $800/yr
Miscellaneous
(5)Foreign Earned Income Exclusion
Illustrative savings: $25,000/yr
Max: $126,500
Foreign Housing Exclusion
Illustrative savings: $8,000/yr
Electric Vehicle Tax Credit
Illustrative savings: $7,500/yr
Max: $7,500
Theft & Fraud Loss Deduction
Illustrative savings: $5,000/yr
Gambling Loss Deduction
Illustrative savings: $2,000/yr
Other
(8)Federally Declared Disaster Loss
Illustrative savings: $8,000/yr
Military Combat Zone Pay Exclusion
Illustrative savings: $8,000/yr
Professional Gambler Business Deduction
Illustrative savings: $5,000/yr
Innocent Spouse Relief
Illustrative savings: $5,000/yr
AMT Credit Carryforward
Illustrative savings: $3,000/yr
Estimated Tax Penalty Waiver
Illustrative savings: $500/yr
Tax Preparation Fees Deduction
Illustrative savings: $400/yr
Hobby Loss Rules & Deductions
Illustrative savings: $0/yr
Personal
(12)Alimony Payments (Pre-2019 Agreements)
Illustrative savings: $18,000/yr
Max: $100,000
Casualty and Theft Loss (Federal Disaster)
Illustrative savings: $15,000/yr
Max: $500,000
Alimony Paid (Pre-2019 Agreements)
Illustrative savings: $15,000/yr
Qualified Disaster Losses
Illustrative savings: $10,000/yr
Adoption Expenses
Illustrative savings: $8,000/yr
Max: $17,670
Alimony Paid (pre-2019)
Illustrative savings: $5,000/yr
Casualty and Theft Loss (Federally Declared)
Illustrative savings: $5,000/yr
Casualty and Theft Losses
Illustrative savings: $3,000/yr
Impairment-Related Work Expenses
Illustrative savings: $3,000/yr
State and Local Sales Tax
Illustrative savings: $2,000/yr
Max: $40,400
Hobby Loss (to extent of income)
Illustrative savings: $1,000/yr
Tax Preparation Fees (State)
Illustrative savings: $400/yr
Real Estate
(4)Retirement
(22)Defined Benefit Pension Plan
Illustrative savings: $50,000/yr
Defined Benefit Plan Contribution
Illustrative savings: $50,000/yr
Max: $275,000
Solo 401(k) Contribution
Illustrative savings: $18,000/yr
Max: $69,000
SEP-IRA Contribution
Illustrative savings: $15,000/yr
Max: $69,000
Retirement Plan Contributions (Solo 401k)
Illustrative savings: $15,000/yr
Max: $69,000
SEP-IRA Contribution Deduction
Illustrative savings: $12,000/yr
Max: $69,000
After-Tax 401(k) & Mega Backdoor Roth
Illustrative savings: $10,000/yr
Max: $69,000
Mega Backdoor Roth Strategy
Illustrative savings: $10,000/yr
Max: $69,000
SIMPLE IRA Contribution
Illustrative savings: $8,000/yr
Max: $16,000
401(k) Contribution
Illustrative savings: $5,390/yr
Max: $24,500
Roth IRA Conversion Strategy
Illustrative savings: $5,000/yr
Teachers Retirement Contributions (State)
Illustrative savings: $4,000/yr
SIMPLE IRA Contribution
Illustrative savings: $3,520/yr
Max: $16,000
Social Security Income Tax Planning
Illustrative savings: $3,500/yr
Railroad Retirement Tier 1 Exclusion
Illustrative savings: $3,000/yr
Retirement Plan Startup Credit
Illustrative savings: $2,500/yr
Max: $5,000
Required Minimum Distribution Planning
Illustrative savings: $2,000/yr
Backdoor Roth IRA Conversion
Illustrative savings: $2,000/yr
Max: $7,000
Traditional IRA Contribution
Illustrative savings: $1,650/yr
Max: $7,500
Catch-Up Contributions (50+)
Illustrative savings: $1,650/yr
Max: $11,250
Traditional IRA Contributions
Illustrative savings: $1,650/yr
Max: $7,500
Retirement Savings Credit (Saver's Credit)
Illustrative savings: $500/yr
Max: $2,000
State & Local
(5)State & Local Tax (SALT) Deduction
Illustrative savings: $2,200/yr
Max: $40,400
State Income Tax Deduction
Illustrative savings: $2,000/yr
Max: $40,400
Sales Tax Deduction
Illustrative savings: $1,500/yr
Max: $40,400
Local Income Tax Deduction
Illustrative savings: $600/yr
Max: $40,400
State Disability Insurance (SDI)
Illustrative savings: $400/yr
Taxes
(1)How Tax Deductions Work
Tax deductions reduce your taxable income, which lowers the amount of tax you owe. For example, if you earn $80,000 and claim $10,000 in deductions, you only pay tax on $70,000. The actual savings depend on your tax bracket, a $10,000 deduction saves $2,200 in the 22% bracket but $3,700 in the 37% bracket.
Tax credits, on the other hand, directly reduce your tax bill dollar-for-dollar. A $2,000 tax credit saves exactly $2,000 regardless of your bracket. Some credits are refundable, meaning you can receive money even if you owe no tax.