The decision does not allow deduction for expenses that are merely beneficial to the general health of an individual, or that cover housekeepers hired on the advice of a doctor.  The case is significant because it affirms that services performed by nonmedical personnnel can be deductible.  The application of the decision to your situation should be carefully reviewed by a qualified tax professional.

1. Dependents In most cases, a child can be claimed as a dependent in the year they were born.
2. Child Tax Credit You may be able to take this credit on your tax return for each of your children under age 17. If you do not benefit from the full amount of the Child Tax Credit, you may be eligible for the Additional Child Tax Credit. For more information see our website.
3. Child and Dependent Care Credit You may be able to claim the credit if you pay someone to care for your child under age 13 so that you can work or look for work. For more information see Child and Dependent Care Expenses on our website.
4. Earned Income Tax Credit The EITC is a benefit for certain people who work and have earned income from wages, self-employment or farming. EITC reduces the amount of tax you owe and may also give you a refund. For more information see Earned Income Credit.
5. Adoption Credit You may be able to take a tax credit for qualifying expenses paid to adopt an eligible child. Taxpayers claiming the adoption credit must file a paper tax return because adoption-related documentation must be included. For more information see the instructions for IRS Form 8839, Qualified Adoption Expenses.  More information on this credit is at JohnsCreekCPA.com.
6. Children with Earned Income If your child has income earned from working they may be required to file a tax return. For more information see IRS Publication 501.
7. Children with Investment Income Under certain circumstances a child’s investment income may be taxed at the parent’s tax rate. For more information see IRS Publication 929, Tax Rules for Children and Dependents or call us at 678.889.9548.
8. Higher Education Credits Education tax credits can help offset the costs of education. The American Opportunity and the Lifetime Learning Credit are education credits that reduce your federal income tax dollar-for-dollar, unlike a deduction, which reduces your taxable income. For more information see Tax Benefits for Education.
9. Student loan Interest You may be able to deduct interest you pay on a qualified student loan. The deduction is claimed as an adjustment to income so you do not need to itemize your deductions. For more information see Tax Benefits for Education.
10. Self-employed health insurance deduction If you were self-employed and paid for health insurance, you may be able to deduct any premiums you paid for coverage after March 29, 2010, for any child of yours who was under age 27 at the end of 2010, even if the child was not your dependent. For more information see our website.

• If you are making a gift by check, be sure the donee deposits it in 2010 for it to count as a 2010 gift.  Alternatives are to give money via a cashier’s check (keep the duplicate copy) or use your credit card. 
• If you are giving securities, endorse the certificates to the donee.  On year-end gifts, companies may not be able to retitle the certificates in the donee’s names by December 31.

In the spirit of the season we encourage all of our friends to take advantage of the tax saving opportunity while helping others in need.  Enjoy the holidays.