Definition

A direct reduction of the tax you owe, lowering your tax bill on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

What to consider

  • Track deductible expenses throughout the year.
  • Decide if itemizing or taking the standard deduction works best for you.
  • Keep organized records to support your deductions during filing.

Real world scenarios

  • A homeowner installing solar panels claims an energy credit, reducing the year’s total taxes owed significantly.
  • Ravi pays for tuition using an education credit that offsets part of his college expenses, making schooling more affordable.
  • With a new baby, Alicia benefits from the child tax credit, lowering her overall tax liability and freeing funds for child care.

Related terms

Taxes