Posted on 02/09/2017 11:02:33 AM PST by Red Badger
That trek to South Dakota on your Harley isn’t going to get you a tax deduction. Sorry.
Maybe that seems obvious, but someone actually tried to write that off on their taxes, according to the Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants. In their defense, the person wore a company shirt and tried to call it an advertising expense.
There’s plenty more where that came from. The Society of CPAs did a study on the ridiculous things people have tried to use as deductions – and it’s pretty funny.
Business deduction fails:
Someone tried to write off their pop-up camper, calling it a business “construction trailer.”
Similarly, a real estate agent wanted to deduct a riding lawn mower for the sole purpose of trimming the grass around “For Sale” signs.
Another thing that’s not a business expense: attending a graduation party or wedding with someone you work with. Sorry.
Iffy charitable donations:
There was also a person who gave a chainsaw to a hospital and tried to say that was a charitable donation. Not quite.
And a generous grandparent paid for their grandchild’s private school tuition, then tried to write it off as a donation – it didn’t work. Don’t try to write these off, either
When an individual moved from California to Minnesota, they tried to write off the cost of a winter coat and snow blower, calling them “moving expenses.” There might actually be an argument there.
People have also tried deducting their hunting properties and cosmetic enhancements – like augmentations, manicures, etc.
Lastly, don’t claim your pets. No matter how much you consider Mr. Meow and Fido family, they aren’t legally dependents. They’re not security expenses either, no matter how ferocious your fur baby is.
Doing your taxes right:
There are a lot of things you can deduct from you taxes. They just need to be legitimate, and you’ll need to back up your claims.
GoBankingRates has a whole list of things you can deduct – like job search expenses, medical costs, and home renovations (under certain circumstances).
TurboTax has its own recommendations here and here.
For more information on everything taxes, click here.
Do you have any idea how much the furbabies eat? And their vet bills?
Augmentations aren’t deductable?
Perhaps we should change that. Government has a legitimate interest in promoting the aesthetic appeal of the citizenry.
True Story, about 30 years ago it was on the radio and tv.
A guy had prostate problems, his doctor told him to have sex more often with his wife, gave him a doctors note also. The wife didn’t like the idea one bit, they were somewhat estranged, but living in the same house still. SO this Guy started Flying to Vegas Every Week and going to a Brothel to get laid.
He wrote the whole thing off as Medical Expenses, the IRS challenged it, when it finally got to the last Appeal. His TAX Deduction WAS ALLOWED!!! Only because he had a Doctors Order.
Hold on now, they’d have to pass the FR G / NG test :)
The most common is to get a debit card with your company account and try to deduct everything you buy.
If you buy everything at Sheetz, you can deduct it as a gas expense.
Love, Lurch
Someone tried to write off their pop-up camper, calling it a business “construction trailer.” Similarly, a real estate agent wanted to deduct a riding lawn mower for the sole purpose of trimming the grass around “For Sale” signs. There was also a person who gave a chainsaw to a hospital and tried to say that was a charitable donation. Not quite.
I'd have written these of too.
The proper way was to describe “travel expenses, sales and advertising effort”
Duh...
If you write “Sturgis, baby” you deserve to have it disallowed...
The proper way was to describe “travel expenses, sales and advertising effort”
Duh...
If you write “Sturgis, baby” you deserve to have it disallowed...
Or:
“Office Supplies”
I don't see problem with this, as long as the chain saw had a monetary value.
When one makes a charitable donation, get the donatee to sign of on it. If it's not money, you can add a fair price for the estimated value. I donate stuff all the time. I have a form that simply said, I donated some stuff (itemized below) to the BLANK Charity/Charity organization name, on such-and-such a date, then have the recipient sign it. I later give such signed forms to my accountant, along with reasonable values, when I turn in my yearly data for doing my returns.
Don’t care. Millions of illegal aliens are receiving EITC checks worth thousands of dollars, every year.
We need to abolish the income tax anyway. It’s become nothing more than a weaponized income redistribution tool for the left.
Do you have any idea how much the furbabies eat? And their vet bills?
I can only imagine...............
I tried to claim “ammo” as a medical expense. Well, it might help keep me healthy is what I say...
Plus it helps you sleep better at night..............
“Plus it helps you sleep better at night..............”
I thought your reply had been to #4. :)
The federal government is printing and spending so much ‘money’ above income that whether or not we pay taxes is seemingly pointless.
The income tax needs to be abolished. Time to starve the monster...
rue Story, about 30 years ago it was on the radio and tv.
A guy had prostate problems, his doctor told him to have sex more often with his wife, gave him a doctors note also. The wife didn’t like the idea one bit, they were somewhat estranged, but living in the same house still. SO this Guy started Flying to Vegas Every Week and going to a Brothel to get laid.
He wrote the whole thing off as Medical Expenses, the IRS challenged it, when it finally got to the last Appeal. His TAX Deduction WAS ALLOWED!!! Only because he had a Doctors Order.
****
Despite his success, it’s probably good advice to not screw with the IRS.
I agree. I don’t see a problem with those. Especially don’t get why the donation wasn’t deductible. Unless the hospital has NO charitible status at all.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.