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Level 1
September 1, 2025
Question

what deductions are not allowable?

Besides Penalties and certain meal expenses, what categories of expenses are not deductable?

    3 replies

    Level 15
    September 1, 2025

    Your question is too broad to answer. What do you want or think you might be able to deduct and in what circumstances?

    VolvoGirl
    Level 15
    September 1, 2025
    rjs
    Level 15
    Level 15
    September 1, 2025

    No deductions are allowable except those that the tax law specifically allows. It would be impossible to list all possible types of expenses that are not deductible.


    Are you asking about personal expenses or business expenses?


    For personal expenses that are allowed as itemized deductions see the IRS Instructions for Schedule A. There are some other deductions that are not itemized deductions. Most of these are adjustments to income and are listed in Part II of Schedule 1. In the new tax law that was recently passed there is a new below-the-line deduction for car loan interest. (There are several other new below-the-line deductions for things that would not be considered expenses.)


    For deductible business expenses for a sole proprietorship, filing Schedule C, see "Chapter 8. Business Expenses" in IRS Publication 334, Tax Guide for Small Business.