When it comes to federal income taxes, your focus should be to pay just what is owed, nothing more. Since your tax liability is calculated by your net income, the best way to reduce the taxes you owe is to minimize your income. Of course, you need to do this without illegally reducing your income. You can do this by taking legal above-the-line tax deductions.

Above-the-line-tax deductions are basically like tax breaks that are adjustments to your income. They’re labeled above-the-line because they are reduced on the first page of the tax return just above the bottom line. These deductions reduce your adjustable gross income and in the end reduce your tax liability.

The items below are some above-the-line tax deductions that are discussed in our Domainer Tax Guide which you can consider if you are eligible.

• Moving expenses, if you relocated for job purposes.

• Self-employment. Half the amount of taxes that are paid to Social Security and Medicare.

• Self-employed retirement plans.

• Self-employed health insurance. The total amount you fund in health insurance fees not only for yourself, but for your spouse and dependents as well. Even contributions towards long-term care policies are included.

• Penalties paid for early withdrawal of savings. The account manager of such an account should send you a 1099-INT or 1099-OID form including the early withdrawal penalty.

• Alimony payments. If you became divorced and funding alimony, you can deduct these payments from your income. You must include your ex-spouse’s social security number; or the deduction might be disallowed.

• IRA deductions for amounts contributed to traditional IRAs for individuals who are self-employed.

• Student loan interest. Up to $2,500 in student loan interest paid can be deducted for single filers making $65,000 or less or joint filers making $135,000 or less.

• Jury duty pay if it was turned over to your employer.

Individuals can obtain most of these above-the-line tax deductions by using the long form, 1040. If you prefer to use the short from, 1040A, you can still utilize some of these deductions. Early account withdrawal penalties, IRA contributions, student loan interest and jury pay are the above-the-line-tax deductions that may be claimed on the 1040A tax return. Consult with your personal tax consultant for more details or check out this Review of Domain Tax Guides.