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What are 3 ways you can lower your taxable income?

By Andrew Thornton

As of right now, here are 15 ways to reduce how much you owe for the 2020 tax year:

  • Contribute to a Retirement Account.
  • Open a Health Savings Account.
  • Use Your Side Hustle to Claim Business Deductions.
  • Claim a Home Office Deduction.
  • Write Off Business Travel Expenses, Even While on Vacation.

15 Legal Secrets to Reducing Your Taxes

  • Contribute to a Retirement Account.
  • Open a Health Savings Account.
  • Use Your Side Hustle to Claim Business Deductions.
  • Claim a Home Office Deduction.
  • Write Off Business Travel Expenses, Even While on Vacation.
  • Deduct Half of Your Self-Employment Taxes.
  • Get a Credit for Higher Education.

How can a side business reduce taxable income?

Itemizing. You can take a standard deduction on your taxes each year, or itemize expenses to reduce your tax liability. The standard deduction for an individual is $12,550. If you will have more than that amount in expenses for your side business, talk to a tax expert about itemizing.

What’s the best way to lower your taxes?

Reducing your taxable income is one of the most effective ways to lower your taxes, with some moves doing double duty as both deductions themselves and as a means to slide under income thresholds at which other taxes would kick in.

What can I do to lower my taxable income before December 31?

If you itemize, making charitable contributions before December 31 will reduce your taxable income. For cash contributions, hang on to your canceled check or credit-card statement as proof of your donation.

How are tax credits used to lower your taxes?

As opposed to a tax deduction, a tax credit can lower your taxes dollar for dollar. A tax credit will reduce the amount of taxes you must pay. The government uses tax credits to encourage taxpayers to engage in certain activities or to grant tax relief.

Which is more effective lowering parents income or reducing EFC?

Since assets are assessed at only 5.64%, lowering parents’ income in the base year is 8 times more effective in lowering EFC than minimizing parental assets.