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For 18 years I have been preparing income tax returns for individuals. Unfortunately even as a tax preparer I miss deductions on my client’s tax returns but for those who prepare their own returns I am certain these 10 tax deductible items are almost always overlooked.

1. The medical mileage deduction for 2007 is $.20 per mile and $.19 per mile for 2008. Trips from home to the doctor and the hospital are included when calculating total miles for the calendar year. Sometimes a client does not know off hand how many miles this actually is but when you start adding them up it can create a very large deduction.

2. Interest paid on a 2nd mortgage is deductible as long as the residence has a function kitchen and bathroom. Have you ever considered your motor home in this hidden tax deductible item?

3. Charitable deductions are made and often forgotten about. Sometime we just cannot remember the box of cookies we bought from our neighbor’s daughter who is with girls scouts as well as many other donations throughout the year. Add them upyou will not be sorry.

4. Expenses incurred during a move that is job related are a tax deductible item. Ask your tax preparer about this one as there are certain tests to be satisfied. If you qualify include expenses for transportation and storage of household goods. Also travel including lodging from your old home to your new home is deductible.

5. The alimony deduction is often over looked because many people do not want to think about a painful divorce. The amount rewarded for child support is not deductible though.

6. Student loan interest paid on loans for education is deductible. People often miss this one because a lot of changes take place after graduation and this deduction gets over looked. With rising education costs the student loan interest really adds up.

7. Most of us know that we can deduct our real estate taxes on our home but did you also know the state income taxes withheld from your W-2 are also deductible. Also the state income taxes paid during the year for a prior year should be included as a deduction.

8. Loans made to family and friends who have failed to repay you are deductible as worthless debts on Schedule D. You are limited to $3,000 per year until the full loss is taken. But if you have capital gains then the whole loss can be taken up to the amount of the capital gain plus $3,000.

9. If you are self employed there are countless deductions but for the purpose of this article do not be afraid to take a loss on line 12 of your 1040 resulting from your Schedule C. If I did not make any income from my self employed venture can I take a loss? Yes absolutely.

10. Often clients will rent a home to a family member and will not want to report the rental income. This is a big mistake because it is illegal but you also miss out on legitimate tax deductions that when properly totaled create a loss on your 1040 that goes against income from other sources.

Teenagers tend to take life very literally. For example, when they get a job, a teenager expects to earn the exact amount they were offered. Life doesn’t work that way, however, and you can assist your teenager in getting accustomed to it by helping them to understand taxes.

Regardless of the amount of money you earn, everyone is charged income tax. By means of these taxes, the government is able to produce funds that provide beneficial services to citizens and finance military efforts.

It is important for your teen to understand that an hourly wage is not an exact way to calculate their weekly income. Explaining how income taxes function will help them comprehend why their hourly wage can only provide an idea of how much they have earned during a day of work and that the number of hours they work multiplied by their hourly wage will not be the same number they will see on their paycheck.

When they gain employment, their employer will give them a tax form to fill out. They probably won’t understand it, so parents need to help them fill it out and explain what it means. The state and federal government determines how much money to take through taxes from the information recorded on the form.

For teens with a job, the earning potential is not enough to file a tax form on April 15th of the following year. There is an amount that, if a person’s earnings fall below it, they are not subject to income tax filing. Your teen will almost surely fall in that exempted category.

Show your teen how to get the most money that they can on their check. Even teens are allowed to claim deductions. They can claim one deduction even if they are included on their parents’ tax return. That deduction will net them more money in their pocket. Since they won’t make enough to file, this is a wise decision for them to make.

Teens also need to understand that when their earnings increase after high school or college, the tax laws change for them. More earnings mean that they will file a tax return and pay more taxes. But, for now, they have an advantage and should take full benefit of it.

Babysitting and other self-employment is subject to taxes if they make over a certain amount of money. Selling items on eBay could push your teen over the allowable limit for non-filers. In that case, discuss the forms needed to be filled out at tax time. Encourage your teen to save their money wisely in case the IRS deems that they owe tax money. Check with the IRS website to find out what the income limit is for the current filing year.

Taxes can be a shock for teens when they open their first check. Discussing the matter with them when they take on their first neighborhood job will prepare them for the eventuality. Foster the idea of good record keeping so it is easy to find out if they need to file or not at the end of the year.

While many don’t want to look that far ahead, and worry about money when you don’t know what is going to be in the future it is important to plan something at one point.

What do you need to deal with for life planning?

Your life planning is going to involve so much more than saving money. You also need to know how much money you need, where you will keep your money, and what type of lifestyle you want to live as you begin to retire. You need to set aside money for your death, your life, and your living expenses.

Expenses can include your taxes for your home. When mortgages are paid off you still have to face insurance and taxes on the home you live in. If you rent, you will have a rental payment monthly that will replace the insurance and taxes expenses that others face.

Realizing what you want

Generations age, and the baby boomers are reaching their later years quickly teaching others in the nation about saving, and retirement. The need for money was instilled in the generation of baby boomers at a very young age, and most have carried that with them over the years. While happiness is not always bought by money, it does making enjoying life much easier. Along with money, many retires must also look to their other needs, such as spiritual life, happiness and creative happiness before retiring as well.

As you retire most are not going to be able to play the ‘game’ of do I have what my neighbors have. Buying ‘toys’ as one reaches retirement age does take make a change in one’s lifestyle. The retirement lifestyle changes how younger family members look at 401K plans, IRAs and even savings accounts. Making your future your own all begins with some type of savings, no matter how little that savings could be step by step. Plus taking measures to prevent possible identity theft.

Everyone wants a little money when they retire, and you are going to be no different. You can’t rely on the lottery to set you up with a retirement plan, so you have to make choices while you are young enough to save. You are never too old to start a savings account.

Because there are so many older people who have not saved money before trying to retire, they are finding that social security is just not going to cut it. Older Americans are taking jobs that are meaningful, but that are part time just to make ends meet. These are the types of people that should have saved something when they are young. If you don’t learn lessons from the older people you know now, you are going to be in the same predicament you are older as well.

Adjusts Mileage Deductions As Fuel Prices Spike

We are from the IRS and we’re here to help you. Most people would smirk at such a statement, but the agency is actually very proactive when taxpayers face a universal issue like the current spikes in gasoline prices.

One of the great deductions available in the tax code is the business mileage deduction. If you drive on business matters, you can deduct the mileage at the end of the year by multiplying your total miles by a figure set by the IRS.

How does the IRS determine the business mileage deduction rate? It is a hodge podge of factors including car insurance, vehicle depreciation and fuel costs. When one of these goes up, the IRS reacts to its credit.

The IRS uses projections to come up with a figure before each year begins to let taxpayers know what to expect. This year, the deduction rate was set at 50.5 cents for every business mile incurred.

Although the milege deduction rate is usually not changed, there is precedent for doing so. When prices are serious effected, the IRS can act on its own as it did during Katrina when gas prices shot up do to gas shortages in the South.

Whether it is profiteering, a weak dollar, peak oil or some other reason, oil prices have shot up in 2008. In San Diego, we are closing in on $5 a gallon. This is in comparison to 2002 when we were paying only $1.75 for the same gas.

While the rest of the government twiddles its collective thumbs, the IRS is doing something to help people. Who would’ve guessed it? The agency has cranked the business deduction rate up to 58.5 cents for the remainder of 2008.

How do I come up with a total deduction if there are two rate amounts? Split your mileage for the year into before and after June 30th figures. Multiply by the corresponding rate. Add the totals together and you have the deduction.

Business miles are not the only transportation deduction getting a bump. You can deduct mileage incurred for moving for a job. The rate for the first six months of 2008 is 19 cents, but the final six months now have a rate of 27 cents.

The tax code also contains a provision for a deduction for mileage incurred while helping a charity. The IRS does not control this deduction. Only Congress can modify it. As such, there is no change for fuel prices.

Fuel prices are projected to only go higher for the foreseeable future. While the bump in the mileage deduction helps, it may not be the last one in 2008. Keep an eye out for more changes.

When it comes to top tax havens, Panama and Switzerland are the favorite offshore jurisdictions of investors. For many years, investors viewed Switzerland as the go-to place when desiring to place money in an offshore account. Panama has joined Switzerland in these ranks and now the two are the most sought after jurisdictions for investors world wide.

Both countries offer a high level of security for both your financial and personal information, though in recent years, Panama has come to offer a higher level of security and anonymity. When opening a bank account in Switzerland, one must now provide such information as a social security number, whereas in Panama this information is not required.

Panama does not have any tax treaties with other governments except for the the United States which is only enforced in extreme cases. Since Panama has bearer share corporations without necessarily the true owner’s identity attached to the corporate documents proving a tax offense can be costly and difficult. Switzerland recently amended their tax treaties and with certain countries under foreign pressure to do so.

This is not to take away from Switzerland’s mystique as a tax haven of choice. It is located in Europe, it was the first tax haven formed, it has a stable economy and government with neutral politics. In short it is the most secure place in the world to keep your money so long as you qualify to meet their requirements. With so many scams popping up in the Carribbean knowing your money is safe in a bank in Europe may be worth it even if their rules are more strict.

Many investor’s are surprised when they learn that banks in Panama are actually quite massive operations. They are legitimate and real banks for locals and foreigners alike. They are not fly by night operations set up solely to grab investor’s cash. You can walk in to a bank in Panama and be treated to the same level of service as you would expect in North America or Europe. Many bank towers dot the cities skyline, often times more than 50 - 60 stories in height. This is shocking for many investor’s who think Panama is a third world country not to be trusted as a tax haven.

Panama’s rock solid banking secrecy laws are enforced under penalty of a prison term for offenders. They take their rule enforcement very seriously since they stand to lose billions in investment if they don’t. The only case where banking secrecy is lifted in Panama is when it can be shown that a serious crime like drug dealing or money laundering has happened through their banking system. It is up to the reporting agency to file court action in Panama to get this information released.

For anyone who is looking to invest their money for legitimate reasons and want to reduce their tax burden both Panama and Switzerland are tested and true tax havens with many benefits on offer. Choose the tax haven that you are most comfortable with but remember, it’s much less expensive to set up in Panama than Switzerland.

Much like 401K plans the 457 retirement plan is one of the non-qualified plans with tax deferment compensations. The rules of both the 401K plans and 457 retirement plans have rules which are governed by the tax codes. These rules apply to those under the nonqualified government employee compensation plans that have options for deferment. The rules also apply to pension options as well.

The greatest reason to consider a 457 retirement plan may be the deferment of taxes until assests are withdrawn. The plan gives the benefit to defer reimbursements or compensations taxes paid before payroll deductions.

Ineligible and eligible plans are included in the 457 plans. In eligible plans, there are postponed sum limits that are subject to promising tax action. Ineligible plans offer larger rearrangements and deferment and are intended for executives. All annual deferments must not go past the applicable cash sum nor the employee’s smaller compensation (100%). The sum could not surpass $15000 in 2006, and because of the cost of living changes, the sum amount is being currently adjusted to $500.

In 2006, people age 50 were eligible for extra income decreases for contributions. Deferrals allotted were five thousand. The 457-retirement plan is available to those that qualify only. These plans are also called the Section 457. Anyone exempt from Federal taxes on income, as well as those in subdivisions, state, political subdivisions, instrumentalities, etc, may not qualify for the retirement plans. Some of the units within the government, include those that are exempt from taxes on income include academic, churches, and charitable organizations. Private foundations and hospitals, trade associates, labor unions, farmer corps, and fraternal orders are listed as well.

There are some aspects that need reflection, and you may further discuss these with your tax preparer. Plan members have a rollover option that distributes into individual retirement accounts or other plans with the same rule structure. Some of the 457 retirement plans can be rolled over as well, such as another 457 plan that doesn’t have incurring income tax.

The plans have a few benefits. Some other of the benefits includes your ability to defer the greatest acceptable amount on the eligible plans. Employees can also defer any contributions allowed under plans. To learn more about the 457-retirement plan you can visit the Internet where you will find a wide selection of details posted. You have the option to enquiry information from the plan providers as well. This is where you will get your best information. Use the tools online to conduct a research and find a provider near you.

Being self-employed comes with a whole host of tax-related advantages and savings. In fact, being self-employed is considered by many to be the best tax strategy of our time.

Self-employment allows you full command of your tax situation and, with the right knowledge, you can have greater control over the amount of taxes you pay.

Following are some tips for making the most of your self-employed status:

Record keeping is the sure way to put your mind at ease when it’s your business. Receipts, ledgers, documentation; these are the building blocks to saving money on your taxes. This makes it easier when it comes time to pay your taxes. And in most cases, you will surprise yourself with how much they save you as well.

Your children can even be the means of saving money. Childcare credit is for those who are self-employed as much as for regular go-to-work folks. Use childcare as you need it to be able to run your business, document it, and take the credit. You earned it!

What if, instead of putting your children in ch