Our Research Methodology

At Can I Deduct This, we take accuracy seriously. Tax misinformation can cost people real money — and in some cases, trigger IRS audits or penalties. That’s why we hold ourselves to a strict editorial standard and follow a transparent, repeatable research process for every piece of content we publish.

Here’s exactly how we research, write, verify, and maintain the content on this site.

Step 1: Identifying the Question

Every article starts with a real question asked by real taxpayers. We source topics from reader submissions, IRS frequently asked questions, community forums, and trending tax topics identified through our research tools. We prioritize questions that affect a large number of Americans and where confusion or misinformation is common.

Step 2: Primary Source Research

We always start with primary sources — the original legal texts and official government publications — before consulting any secondary sources. Our primary sources include:

• IRS Publications (e.g., Publication 463 for travel expenses, Publication 502 for medical expenses)
• Official IRS Forms and Instructions
• The Internal Revenue Code (Title 26, U.S. Code) — the actual law, as written by Congress
• Treasury Regulations (26 CFR) — the IRS’s legally binding interpretation of the tax code
• U.S. Tax Court Opinions — court decisions that clarify how the law is applied in practice
• IRS Revenue Rulings and Procedures — official IRS guidance on specific tax scenarios

Step 3: Secondary Source Review

After grounding our research in primary sources, we cross-reference with reputable secondary sources to ensure we haven’t missed any nuance. These include:

• Tax Foundation — for policy context and tax data
• Tax Policy Center — for academic and policy analysis
• AICPA resources — for professional accounting interpretations
• Peer-reviewed tax law journals and CPA continuing education materials

Step 4: Expert Review

Before any article is published, it undergoes review by at least one qualified tax professional — either a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), an Enrolled Agent (EA), or a tax attorney. The reviewer checks for legal accuracy, checks that the article correctly represents the source material, and flags any areas where the law may vary by individual circumstances.

Step 5: Plain Language Writing

Once research is complete, our editorial team translates the findings into clear, jargon-free language. We use the Federal Plain Language Guidelines as a writing benchmark, because we believe taxpayers deserve to understand the rules that affect them without needing a law degree.

Step 6: Ongoing Updates

Tax law changes constantly. Congress passes new legislation, the IRS issues new rulings, and inflation adjustments update dollar thresholds every year. We review and update every article at least once per year — and immediately whenever a significant change occurs. Each article displays its most recent review date so you always know how current the information is.

What We Do Not Do

• We do not publish sponsored content disguised as editorial advice.
• We do not accept payment to recommend any tax product, software, or service.
• We do not use AI to generate tax guidance without expert human review and verification.
• We do not present opinion as fact — we clearly distinguish between established law and areas of interpretation.

Corrections Policy

We are committed to correcting errors promptly and transparently. If you believe any information on this site is inaccurate, please contact us through our Community Q&A page. We investigate all reported corrections and update articles as needed, noting the correction in the article’s update history.

Want to understand how a specific deduction was researched? Each article links directly to its primary IRS source. Look for the “Source” citation at the bottom of any article.