How do I claim my commissary that I spent money on in jail

[SweetieJean]

You cannot claim that, as it is a personal expense.

[Mdan1492]

Why thee hell not if they take “taxes and govt fees” before giving it to the inmate

[Utaka alexander]

I spent 1,300 dollars and I want it back. How do I do that?

[AamilD]

Can you please clarify what you spend the $1,300 for?  If it is money related to commissary, they are not tax deductible.

[Curious2knw]

If you're being charged taxes when you buy commissary why can't you file taxes?

If the money that's considered a gift is coming from a loved one that's a tax payer is already paying taxes to send the inmate money why do the inmate have to pay taxes for commissary? If it's understood that the money the inmate is spending on commissary is a gift to the inmate and the inmate is not a tax payer why is the inmate still subject to paying taxes but not able to file for taxes?

[xmasbaby0]

@Curious2knw  Sorry----you received money as a gift from someone and you spent the money.  Gifts are not taxable income.  You do not enter money you received as a gift on a tax return.  And there is no sort of tax credit or deduction for spending your money on expenses for daily living or for incidentals purchased from the prison commissary.

The only way anyone can get a deduction for sales tax is by itemizing all their deductions on a tax return.   It is only when their itemized deductions exceed the standard deduction that the sales tax paid has any effect at all on a tax due or refund.

Your itemized deductions have to be more than your standard deduction before you will see a change in your tax owed or tax refund.  The deductions you enter do not necessarily count “dollar for dollar;” many of them are subject to meeting  tough thresholds—medical expenses, for example, must meet a threshold that is pretty hard to reach. (Only the amount that is MORE than 7.5% of your AGI counts)   The software program uses all the IRS rules that apply to the expenses you enter, and it tells you if you have enough to use your itemized deductions or if using the standard deduction is more advantageous for you.  Under the new tax laws, some deductions have been capped—there is a $10,000 limit to the itemized deductions for state, local, property and sales taxes.

Your standard deduction lowers your taxable income.  It is not a refund.  You will see your standard or itemized deduction amount on line 12 of your 2022 Form 1040.

2022 STANDARD DEDUCTION AMOUNTS

SINGLE $12,950  (65 or older + $1750)

MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY $12,950  (65 or older + $1750)

MARRIED FILING JOINTLY $25,900  (65 or older + $1400 per spouse)

HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD  $19,400  (65 or older +$1750)

Legally Blind + $1750

[xmasbaby0]

@Curious2knw  Think of it this way---if you were not in prison--you were just living everyday life within society---and you got $20 in a birthday card from your Grandma, do you think you could spend the $20 at Target and tell Target you don't pay sales tax cuz Grandma already paid tax on the $20?   Do you think you could put that birthday card money on a tax return and get a refund?