What Expenses Are Not Deductible Under Itemized Deductions?
When filing your federal income tax return using Form 1040, you may choose to itemize deductions on Schedule A instead of taking the standard deduction. However, not all personal expenses qualify for deduction. The IRS strictly limits which expenses can be claimed under itemized deductions.
Non-Deductible Expenses
The following types of expenses are generally not deductible under itemized deductions:
- Personal expenses – Such as legal fees for personal matters, political campaign contributions, and life insurance premiums.
- Unlawful discrimination claims – Expenses related to claims for unlawful discrimination are not deductible.
- Lobbying expenses – Costs incurred to influence legislation or government decisions are not deductible.
- Losses from gambling – Gambling losses are only deductible to the extent of gambling winnings, and only if you itemize and report gambling income.
- Mislaid cash or property – Losses from lost or stolen cash or property are not deductible unless they result from a casualty or theft (and meet specific criteria).
- Meal and lodging expenses for non-business purposes – Such as lunches with coworkers or working late without a business purpose.
- Not-for-profit activities – Expenses for activities that do not generate income or are not part of a trade or business.
- Deposits – General deposits are not deductible unless tied to a specific business or investment activity.
Important Notes
Only expenses explicitly listed in IRS guidelines may be deducted on Schedule A, line 16 (Other Itemized Deductions). If you are filing a paper return and cannot list all expenses on the dotted lines, you may attach a statement detailing each expense type and amount. However, only those expenses specifically allowed by the IRS can be claimed.
For more information on deductible and non-deductible expenses, refer to IRS Publication 529, which provides detailed guidance on various types of expenses and their deductibility.
Source:
Schedule A (Form 1040) Itemized Deductions
Publication 529 - Miscellaneous Deductions
Form 1040 Instructions
Disclaimer: Always verify information with official Federal or State Department of Revenue Forms and Instructions before filing your tax return.