If you are close to exceeding the standard deduction, consider making another charitable contribution for 2016.
To squeeze out a slightly larger mortgage-interest deduction, consider making your January mortgage payment before the end of the year.
If you itemize your deductions, consider whether to elect to deduct state and local sales taxes instead of state and local income taxes.
To determine the amount of your itemized deductions consider how much you spend on the following during 2012.
The mortgage interest deduction, widely considered a middle-class benefit, actually saves a typical middle-income household only about $200 a year, because so many families claim the standard deduction, rather than itemized ones.
In this case, if the employer does not pay you, and deduction could be considered unauthorised.
The cost of social security rights is particularly relevant for seasonal workers, as their salary is often at the minimum wage, and thus every wage deduction must be considered carefully.
It pledged to increase exemptions from income tax, to allow medical expenses to be considered deductions from income for tax purposes, and to eliminate sales tax on food, clothing, and other necessities of life.
Meals, entertainment and gifts can also be reasonable considered deductions if related to your business.
Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, at the same forum, said that with the federal debt at $16 trillion, closing tax loopholes and eliminating deductions have to be considered, "even though that may technically violate the pledge".
