Follow Us: Google+
 
Bankrate.com

taxes

What is a tax deduction?

 

What is a tax deduction?

The Bankrate.com financial term of the day is: "tax deduction."

The Internal Revenue Service allows you to lower your potential tax hit by subtracting some amounts from your income before it puts the bite on your money. A tax deduction is one kind of pretax subtraction. A taxpayer may take either a standard deduction amount, established each year by the IRS, or may itemize deductions, listing various eligible expenses such as mortgage interest and state income taxes.

A tax deduction lets you clip the amount of your income that's subject to taxes.

For help making sense of your taxes, visit the Taxes section at Bankrate.com.

advertisement

Show Bankrate's community sharing policy
            Connect with us
Overnight Averages
Product Rate +/- Last week
30 yr fixed
3.60%
3.52%
15 yr fixed
2.74%
2.71%
5/1 ARM
2.54%
2.57%
View rates in your area:
Product Rate +/- Last week
30K HELOC
5.21%
5.22%
30K Home Equity Loan
6.11%
6.14%
50K HELOC
4.76%
4.79%
View rates in your area:
Product Rate +/- Last week
48 Mo Used Car
2.93%
3.10%
48 Mo New Car
2.45%
2.45%
36 Mo Used Car
2.88%
2.93%
View rates in your area:
Product Yield +/- Last week
6 Mo CD
0.41%
0.43%
1 Yr CD
0.62%
0.63%
5 Yr CD
1.22%
1.24%
Compare rates:
Product Rate
Low Interest Cards 11.01%
Balance Transfer Cards 15.92%
All Variable 15.24%
Compare rates:  
advertisement
Most Read
  1. Nick Nolte's house for sale
  2. 8 eerie ghost towns
  3. 5 best markets for home values
  4. What does a kitchen remodel entail?
  5. Don't sell a smelly house
  6. Headlight requirements by state
  7. 9 gas-only, fuel-efficient cars
  8. 8 affordable, classic cars for retirees
  9. 5 car models that lose value
  10. Top 10 states for foreclosure
Looking for FREE tax advice?
From Federal and State tax law changes, to rates and tools, our expert advice will help you stay informed.
advertisement
Fired commissioner. Congressional hearings. Scathing tax watchdog report. It has been a terrible week for the IRS. And the tough t
Partner Center
advertisement

Advertising Disclosure: Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Bankrate may be compensated in exchange for featured placement of certain sponsored products and services, or your clicking on links posted on this website.