What is a Tax Write-Off?

Write-offs may be used to reduce a business taxable income. For this reason, things such as credits, deductions, and overall expenses become a write-off. There is always a chance for individuals and businesses to claim for certain deductions that will end up reducing tax on their income. The Internal Revenue Service permits people to claim for a standard deduction on their tax returns. In addition, if individuals happen to exceed the level of the standard deduction set, they can itemize the deductions. The deduction reduces the adjustments on the gross income as applied to a corresponding tax rate. Generally, both small businesses, as well as big corporations, do have a broad range of expenses that reduces profits subject to taxation. A write-off that is expense increases expenses on the income statement and lowers the profits as well as taxable income.

Back to: Accounting & Taxation

Write-Offs versus Credits

Sometimes people confuse credits with write-offs and deductions. Although they all reduce tax liability, they operate differently. A tax credit applies to a tax one owe and lowers such tax. In addition, a refundable tax credit may sometimes lead to a tax refund. For instance, lets assume that you owe a tax worth $10,000, but you are eligible for a credit worth $3,000. Such credit will reduce your tax bill to $7,000. Also, you will receive a tax refund of $1,000, in case you owe a tax worth $5,000 and at the same time you qualify for a tax refund credit worth $6,000.