Ordinary + Necessary = Deductible

At about this time every year, we all hear advice on all the ways to deduct as much as possible on our tax returns. As you prepare your tax returns right now, the reality is you need to understand what is "ordinary" and "necessary" to find out what is actually an allowable deduction.

Woburn, MA (PRWEB) March 1, 2006

As millions of Americans prepare their tax returns, it is important to determine what are "ordinary" and "necessary" deductions to ensure they are allowable.

Just about everyone has friends, family members, or colleagues at work who are very aggressive with the tax deductions they claim. Every year, at about this time, they start telling you about all of the crazy things they deducted last year. And then they usually try to convince you that what they deducted must be okay, since the IRS never disallowed any of their deductions from last year.

“The fact that the IRS didn't question their deductions shouldn't be interpreted to mean that what they claimed is allowable,” explains Andrew Schwartz, CPA, founder of the MDTAXES Network, an affiliation of CPAs throughout the country that specializes in tax planning and preparation for healthcare professionals. “It simply means that the IRS didn't select this person's tax return for audit. Remember, everything is deductible until you get audited.”

So what do the rules really say about deducting your professional expenses? To be allowable, an expense must be both "ordinary" and "necessary" in connection with your profession. For example, purchasing a Palm Pilot to use for work qualifies as ordinary and necessary, and therefore, is deductible. Purchasing a leather carrying case from Coach, however, probably doesn't qualify. Even though you may view your Coach carrying case as necessary, it most likely doesn't meet the ordinary test.

Let's take a look at some of the professional expenses commonly incurred by health care professionals:

Automobile expenses: Driving between job sites is deductible. So is driving between your home and a temporary job site, job interviews, and conferences. Commuting between your home and a regular place of business generally isn't tax deductible.

There are two ways for you to calculate your automobile expenses. You can either claim the standard mileage rate for each business mile driven ($.405 thru 8/31/05 and then $.485 for the rest of the year), or base your deduction on the percentage of miles your car was driven for business multiplied by the actual costs incurred during the year. Allowable costs include gas, insurance, repairs, parking at home, and either your lease payments, or if you own your car, a factor for depreciation.

Computer equipment: There are two tests you must meet to deduct computer equipment. The computer purchase must be a requirement of your employment as well as for the convenience of your employer. If you buy a computer so you can work at home instead of staying late at the hospital or lab, you're out of luck. Many people find that it's easier to deduct their computer purchases in years they have independent contractor income.

Education, Licenses & Examinations: Any time something qualifies you for a new trade or business, the cost incurred isn't deductible. That's why you can't write off your medical school tuition. Costs incurred in connection with improving your skills in your current profession are generally deductible. Some of the larger deductions are claimed by people working towards an MPH or a dental specialty.

Home Office Deduction: As long as you perform administrative and managerial tasks on a regular basis within a portion of your home used exclusively for business, you're eligible for the home office deduction. For renters, this is a great opportunity, since rent isn't otherwise deductible on your federal tax return.

Insurance: Malpractice insurance and insurance on your business assets are deductible. Life and disability insurance aren't deductible.

Temporary Job Assignment: A huge tax deduction awaits you if you take a job for a period of less than a year, with the intent of returning to the city where you were working prior to taking that job. Believe it or not, you can deduct all of your travel, lodging, and half of your food. Basically, it's as if you're on an extended business trip for up to a year in length.

Compensation Counts

“How you deduct your professional expenses depends on how you were compensated during the year. If taxes were withheld from your pay, then you are considered an employee, and will claim these expenses as a miscellaneous itemized deduction,” summarizes Schwartz. ‘Independent contractors can deduct their professional expenses directly against their private practice or moonlighting income on a Schedule C.’

Andrew D. Schwartz, CPA is the editor and a major contributor to http://www.MDTAXES.com, a website that provides income tax and financial planning information geared towards healthcare professionals. Schwartz has provided financial planning advice in interviews with various media, including the Washington Post and Wall Street Journal. He is available for interviews.

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