There is no single official “list of all tax deductions,” but the IRS organizes them in a few predictable places on your return. This guide explains the structure so you can see where each provision fits, then links to detailed pages. As always, rules and dollar amounts change by year; we note the year and point to IRS sources.
Try it: Standard vs itemized calculatorSee which deduction is bigger for 2025 or 2026 — including the SALT cap and the medical-expense floor.Deductions vs. credits
A deduction reduces your taxable income. If you are in the 22% bracket, a $1,000 deduction lowers your tax by about $220. A credit reduces your tax directly: a $1,000 credit lowers your tax by $1,000. Some credits are nonrefundable (can reduce your tax to zero but no further) and some are refundable (can produce a refund even if you owe no tax), like parts of the child tax credit and the earned income tax credit.
The three layers of deductions
1. Above-the-line adjustments
These come off your gross income to produce adjusted gross income (AGI), and you can claim them whether or not you itemize. Frequently used ones include student loan interest (up to $2,500), HSA contributions, educator expenses, the deductible half of self-employment tax, contributions to a traditional IRA (subject to rules), and self-employed health insurance premiums.
2. The standard deduction or itemized deductions
Next you choose one: the standard deduction (a fixed amount by filing status) or itemized deductions on Schedule A. The 2025 standard deduction is $15,750 for single filers, $31,500 for married couples filing jointly and $23,625 for heads of household; the 2026 amounts are $16,100, $32,200 and $24,150. Itemizing makes sense when your qualifying expenses — state and local taxes (subject to a cap), mortgage interest, charitable gifts, and medical expenses above a percentage of AGI — add up to more. Read standard vs itemized for the break-even logic and our itemized deductions checklist.
3. Deductions that stack on top
For tax years 2025 through 2028, new deductions for qualified tips, qualified overtime pay, interest on certain new-vehicle loans, and an enhanced deduction for people age 65 and older are claimed on Schedule 1-A and can be taken even if you take the standard deduction. They phase out at higher incomes. See our explainer. The qualified business income deduction (up to 20% for many owners of pass-through businesses, subject to limits) also stacks on top.
The big credits to know
| Credit | Who it helps | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Child tax credit | Parents of children under 17 | $2,200 per qualifying child for 2025; part refundable; income phase-outs |
| Earned income tax credit | Low-to-moderate earners, with or without children | Maximum for 2025 ranges from $649 to $8,046 depending on number of children |
| Saver’s credit | Lower-income retirement savers | Percentage of up to $2,000 contributed ($4,000 if joint) |
| Child and dependent care credit | Working parents paying for care | Percentage of qualifying care expenses; see IRS Topic 602 |
| Education credits (AOTC, Lifetime Learning) | Students and parents paying tuition | Income phase-outs; see IRS Pub. 970 |
Common itemized deductions in plain English
- State and local taxes (SALT): income or sales tax, plus property tax, subject to a cap. For 2025 the cap is $40,000 ($20,000 if married filing separately), reduced for very high incomes; verify the 2026 figure with IRS Schedule A instructions.
- Mortgage interest: on qualifying home loans, subject to loan-size limits.
- Charitable contributions: cash and property gifts to qualified organizations, with documentation. See charitable donations.
- Medical expenses: only the portion above 7.5% of AGI.
Self-employed and small business deductions
If you have your own business or side hustle, ordinary and necessary business expenses — supplies, software, advertising, a portion of your phone and internet, business mileage, a qualifying home office — reduce your net profit. See the self-employed guide and our self-employed deductions checklist.
What you cannot deduct (common misconceptions)
- Most employee work expenses (like uniforms or home office) are not deductible for W-2 employees under current federal law.
- Personal expenses mixed with business ones, without allocation.
- Commuting costs from home to a regular workplace.
- Gifts to individuals, even when generous.
- Charitable gifts to organizations that are not qualified, or without proper records.
How to avoid problems
Claim only what you can document. Keep receipts, bank records, mileage logs and acknowledgment letters — see how long to keep records. Credits like the EITC receive extra IRS scrutiny, so follow the rules carefully and, if the IRS disallowed it in a past year, you may need Form 8862. If you are audited, accurate records are your best protection; read what to know about audits.
A simple order of operations
- Collect income forms and records (use our document checklist).
- Claim adjustments that reduce AGI.
- Compare standard vs. itemized.
- Check the stackable deductions you may qualify for.
- Run the tax calculation and apply credits.
- Review your entire return before filing.
Our list of commonly missed deductions and credits highlights ones that people often leave off.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a tax deduction and a tax credit?
A deduction lowers the income you are taxed on; a credit lowers your tax bill directly, dollar for dollar. Credits are usually more valuable per dollar.
Can I take the standard deduction and also claim credits?
Yes. Credits are independent of whether you take the standard deduction or itemize.
Which deductions can I take without itemizing?
Above-the-line adjustments such as student loan interest and HSA contributions, plus new 2025–2028 deductions on Schedule 1-A for qualifying people. Check IRS instructions for eligibility.
Official sources
- IRS Publication 17: Your Federal Income Tax
- IRS Topic 501: Should I itemize?
- IRS: Schedule A instructions
- IRS: Schedule 1-A (new deductions) explained
- IRS: Tax deductions for working Americans and seniors
- IRS: Tax year 2026 inflation adjustments
General information only — not tax, legal or financial advice. Tax figures change every year; verify the current numbers at IRS.gov or with a qualified professional. Read the full disclaimer.