header image for blog

5 Creative, yet Totally Weird Tax Deductions

Tropical Financial Credit Union
By Tropical Financial Credit Union - March 29, 2024

It’s officially tax season in Florida! For some, it may be a headache and for others this may be the highlight of the year, because who doesn’t love free money? If you’re looking to get the most out of your taxes check out some of the weird tax deductions you don’t want to be missing out on this tax season in Florida, according to TurboTaxand E-File.

Charitable Donations  

Charitable art supplies for tax deduction

Have you used your out-of-pocket expenses for a charitable work event? If you were on decoration duty, you can deduct the cost of the decorations and materials used to create them (tape, glue, scissors, etc.). However, be sure to keep the receipts in case of a potential audit.

Babysitter’s Paycheck

Baby sitter taking selfie with kids

So, while you’re volunteering your service to decorate for your work’s charitable event, you may be able to deduct the cost of paying the babysitter. This has been OK’d by the Federal Tax Court, but has to be listed as a charitable contribution on your return. We recommend having documentation for the time allotted because, audits.

Unusual Business Expenses

Cute stray cats being fed

If you’ve recently moved to South Florida, you’ll notice there’s an alarming stray cat population. They may be annoying to the average person, but for business owners having them around could be a good thing…in more than one way. For example, say you have a dumpster in the back of your building, but you feed the cats so that they keep raccoons and mice away. Since this is technically benefiting your business, by keeping pests away you can generally deduct it off your business income.

Tax Write-Offs for Teachers

Kids using art supplies bought by teacher

It’s not uncommon for teachers to have to dip into their own pockets in order to provide materials and resources for their classrooms. What some of them may not know is that those materials are deductible when filing taxes in Miami. Qualified K-12 educators can deduct up to $250 per year. Cha-ching!

Clarinet Lessons for Children

Child playing clarinet to fix overbite

You read that correctly. Thanks to a 1962 provision, added when orthodontists argued that playing the clarinets helps with fixing a child’s overbite. The lessons and cost of clarinet can be claimed as a medical expense tax deduction. Forget the dentist and have your kid pick up a new skill. This is what parents call killing two birds with one stone.

Make sure to ask your tax advisor about these weird tax deductions before you file your taxes because you could end up saving some serious cash. Also, if you aren’t sure where or how to file taxes in Miami, being a member can save even more (up to $15) on premium TurboTax services. Not a member? See how you could become one today. 

I'M READY TO OPEN MY ACCOUNT

Subscribe Here!

The content reflects the view of the author of the article and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tropical Financial Credit Union or its employees.
We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information presented in the article.