6 Tax Deductions You Might Be Missing

When it comes to filing your taxes, it’s easy to miss out on deductions that could lower your tax bill. Whether you’re self-employed, a teacher, or just someone trying to make the most of your return, these often-overlooked deductions might apply to you.

Here are six you shouldn’t ignore:

1. Home Office Deduction
If you run a business or freelance from home, and use a dedicated space only for work, you may qualify for the home office deduction.
You could write off part of your:
Rent or mortgage interest
Utilities
Property taxes
Internet


Make sure the space is used exclusively for business and not for personal use—even if it’s just a corner of a room.

2. Health Insurance Premiums (Self-Employed)
If you’re self-employed, the cost of health insurance for yourself, your spouse, and dependents may be deductible—even if you don’t itemize.
This includes premiums for medical, dental, and long-term care insurance.

3. Medical Expenses
If you’ve had a tough year with medical bills, you might be able to deduct some of them.
You can deduct qualifying medical expenses that exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI).
This includes:
Doctor visits
Prescription medications
Surgeries or medical treatments
Travel to medical appointments

4. Unusual Business Expenses
Self-employed? You may be overlooking deductible business expenses that aren’t obvious.
These could include:
Trade show or conference travel
Specialized equipment
Professional development courses or coaching

Consultant fees
If the expense is ordinary and necessary for your line of work, it might be deductible—even if it’s not something every business uses.

5. Educator Expense Deduction
If you’re a teacher, you can deduct up to $300 (or $600 if married filing jointly and both are educators) for out-of-pocket expenses on classroom supplies, books, and other teaching tools.
Even if you don’t itemize, this deduction still applies.

6. Charitable Donations
Donating to a registered nonprofit? You can deduct cash and item donations—as long as you have documentation.
You must itemize your deductions to claim charitable contributions, so keep receipts or bank records, and consider tracking mileage if you volunteer.

Don’t Leave Money on the Table
Many of these deductions have rules, limits, and eligibility requirements—so it’s smart to check the latest IRS guidelines or talk to a tax professional.
Jennifer at Walker Tax Relief can help you understand which deductions apply to your situation and make sure nothing important is missed.
Ready to keep more of what you earn? Reach out today—Jennifer is here to help.