Author: Can I Deduct This
PA-40 Deductions and Credits: The Complete Pennsylvania Cheat Sheet
Pennsylvania allows almost none of the deductions you are used to — no standard deduction, no personal exemption, no federal itemized deductions. Here is what actually works on the PA-40.
Parking and Tolls: The Vehicle Deduction You Can Still Take On Top of Standard Mileage
The standard mileage rate absorbs gas, repairs, and insurance — but not parking and tolls. Those stay separately deductible, and most drivers never claim them.
TaxAct vs. FreeTaxUSA: Which Cheap Filing Option Actually Costs Less?
TaxAct and FreeTaxUSA both advertise free federal filing, but they get expensive in different places. A structural comparison of pricing models, forms coverage, and who each one fits.
The 2026 Mileage Rate Changed Mid-Year: 72.5¢, 76¢, and How to Split Your Log
The IRS raised the 2026 business mileage rate from 72.5 to 76 cents on July 1 — the first mid-year change since 2022. Here is how to split your log and what it is worth.
NJ ANCHOR Benefit 2026: What Homeowners Get, When Payments Land, and the November 2 Deadline
NJ ANCHOR pays homeowners $1,000-$1,500 for 2025. Confirmation letters went out August 10, auto-filing starts September 15, and the deadline is November 2, 2026.
Tax Deductions for First Responders: Police, Firefighters & EMTs (2026)
If you’re a police officer, firefighter, paramedic, or EMT, you almost certainly spend your own money on the job. Boots. Duty gear. Certifications you have to keep current. A gym membership your department expects but doesn’t pay for. So the question comes up every filing season: can you write any of it off? Here’s the…
IRS Publication 502 Explained: The Master Guide to Deductible Medical Expenses (2025)
IRS Publication 502 is the definitive list of what counts as a deductible medical expense — and it’s surprisingly generous. This master guide explains how Pub 502 works, what’s on (and off) the list, and links to our detailed guides for every major category. What Publication 502 Is Publication 502 defines medical expenses as the…
NJ-1040 Deductions and Credits: The Complete 2025 Cheat Sheet
New Jersey’s income tax return works nothing like the federal 1040 — there’s no standard deduction, no federal-style itemizing, and a completely different list of what you can claim. This cheat sheet covers every deduction, exemption, and credit allowed on the 2025 NJ-1040, with links to our detailed guides on each. First, the Big Surprise:…
IRS Publication 463 Vehicle Expenses Explained: Mileage Rate, Car Washes, Parking & Tolls (2025)
IRS Publication 463 is the rulebook for deducting vehicle expenses — and it answers the questions self-employed drivers search for most: what the standard mileage rate includes, whether you can deduct car washes separately, and what you’re allowed to add on top. This guide translates Pub 463’s vehicle rules into plain English and links to…
Airbnb and Short-Term Rental Host Tax Deductions (2025)
Renting out a spare room, a whole house, or a vacation property on Airbnb or Vrbo turns you into a landlord in the eyes of the IRS, and that comes with a long list of deductible expenses most first-time hosts never claim. Whether you rent a few weekends a year or run multiple listings full-time,…