← Back to Glossary
Tax Deduction
Definition
A tax deduction reduces your taxable income, lowering the amount of income subject to taxation and potentially reducing your tax bill.
Explanation
Common tax deductions include mortgage interest, student loan interest, medical expenses, charitable donations, and retirement contributions. You can take the standard deduction or itemize deductions, whichever is higher. In 2024, the standard deduction is $14,600 for single filers.
Tax deductions differ from tax credits, which directly reduce your tax bill dollar for dollar. Strategic use of deductions is a key tax planning tool.
Example
A $10,000 charitable donation deduction for someone in the 24% tax bracket reduces their tax bill by $2,400 ($10,000 × 24%).