What can we change?

[Daniellekj]

We owed so much in taxes this year but it's partially because we're doing lots of things right... low interest on our mortgage, a town that doesn't have super high taxes, no school loans, earned a work bonuses, and did well with investments. It feels like we're being penalized for having a financial plan. 
To keep from owing this much again, my husband and I are both having additional money taking out of our paychecks. But what else can we do to keep more of our own money? Would it be smart to start a small business for write-offs? Do we open a different type of account? Also, how do you calculate whether or not you can contribute to an IRA?... we've been told in the past we can't but I never understood why.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[RobertB4444]

Write-offs always sound good but you have to remember that at best you get a dollar of credit for every five dollars that you spend.  So if your business loses a thousand bucks your tax bill goes down $200 but you're still out a thousand bucks.  It's not the best way to reduce your tax bill.

Contributing to an IRA might be but only if you aren't covered by a retirement plan at work.  If you are already in a retirement plan at work then you aren't allowed to contribute to an IRA and take a deduction.  But you can put extra into your work retirement plan and that will help.  And it's not a bad idea to contribute to a retirement plan even if you can't deduct it (although that won't help with the issue that you're asking about today).

Here is some more information about who can contribute to IRAs.

@Daniellekj