Commonly Overlooked Tax Deductions Checklist

Health insurance premiums (for self-employed people, 100 percent deductible from gross income)

Related: How to Save on Medical Bills

Nursing home medical expenses

Hearing aids, eyeglasses, contact lenses

Alcohol- and drug-abuse programs and some stop-smoking treatments

Education expenses to maintain or improve job skills

Required uniforms

Employment agency fees or commissions

Expenses for job-seeking in your current field

Cleaning and laundering services while traveling for business

Commissions for the sale of your home, or rental management if you rent it out

Personal property taxes on cars, boats, etc.

Housekeeping or other home services needed for a qualifying dependent during your work hours

Donated clothing or other goods; note the estimated value (see “Valuation Guide” at goodwillpromo.org) on the receipt

Cost of meals, accommodations, public transportation, and gas when volunteer work sends you far from home—if you pay for them out of your own pocket

Hope and Lifetime Learning credits (a type of federal financial aid for college tuition that gives tax credit instead of tuition payment)

Investment-related expenses

Accounting or legal fees involved with taxes

Penalty on early withdrawal of savings

Care provided for disabled children or spouse (Child and Dependent Care Credit)

Jury duty pay reimbursed to employer