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- Thread starter ChunksJR
- Start date
Off base:
Service khaki (ribbons on CNT or poly wool) = ok
Wash khaki (wings only) = not ok
About the only items I think that would qualify are wash khaki, insignia, BDUs (if paid for by the USN servicemember if your unit is one of those that wears them), and a sword. Yeah...pretty sure the sword would be frowned upon for tooling around the mall in uniform. Or for that matter visiting the IRS office in uniform w/ the sword. Or a bank... Or a liquor store... The list goes on...
Service khaki (ribbons on CNT or poly wool) = ok
Wash khaki (wings only) = not ok
About the only items I think that would qualify are wash khaki, insignia, BDUs (if paid for by the USN servicemember if your unit is one of those that wears them), and a sword. Yeah...pretty sure the sword would be frowned upon for tooling around the mall in uniform. Or for that matter visiting the IRS office in uniform w/ the sword. Or a bank... Or a liquor store... The list goes on...
The IRS website specifically addresses swords:
In addition, service members can deduct the cost of required items that do not replace regular clothing. Examples include insignia of rank, corps devices, epaulets, aiguillettes, and swords.
My interpretation would be that service khakis could still be deducted. Would you wear them in place of civilian clothes to go somewhere? You can easily state that you could wear SDBs or dress whites in place of a suit or a tux for a formal civilian event (weddings, Christmas parties, etc.). Where would you wear service khakis in place of civilian clothes?
(I don't know why I'm worried about this... we have no khaki expenses to deduct this year...)
In addition, service members can deduct the cost of required items that do not replace regular clothing. Examples include insignia of rank, corps devices, epaulets, aiguillettes, and swords.
My interpretation would be that service khakis could still be deducted. Would you wear them in place of civilian clothes to go somewhere? You can easily state that you could wear SDBs or dress whites in place of a suit or a tux for a formal civilian event (weddings, Christmas parties, etc.). Where would you wear service khakis in place of civilian clothes?
(I don't know why I'm worried about this... we have no khaki expenses to deduct this year...)
Because service khaki is considered an acceptable uniform for conducting offbase business. You wouldn't hang out at the arcade with the other cool kids in service khaki, although legally you can (right Steve?).Kathy said:
Working khaki is a different blend of material that your hubby, being a P-3 guy, will probably never see.Side note: looks like aviation working green would be a legal deduction though - it's not authorized for off-base personal business.
Now how best to scare the hell out of the IRS when visiting their office to verify legality: deductible AWG, deductible sword, deductible fore-and-aft cap from the USS Constitution crew's uniform...
Coppertop222
New Member
sounds like a great offer, too bad no coastie can take advantage of it since onesouce doesn't include the coast guard...
Make sure you get receipts for any contributions to charity, and if you don't make any, then start. I'm not talking about cash donations, I'm talking about taking old appliances, clothes, toys, etc and dropping them off at Goodwill. A friend told me about it. He dropped off a bunch of stuff after a yard sale and he was given a blank receipt. I made 2 trips to Goodwill with the bed of my truck full of stuff. When I asked for a receipt, the lady asked how much my stuff was worth. I told her that I didn't know and she replied, "Only you know how much your stuff is worth". I gave her a figure and from the look she gave me, I think she was hinting that I had lowballed myself, but nevertheless, that receipt came in real handy this year.
bennett4362
deployment sucks
trvsmrtn said:
the navy-marine corps relief society is a great place to donate stuff (ie in lieu of goodwill) and support your fellow sailors and marines; they give blank tax deductible receipts, as well.
phrogpilot73
Well-Known Member
Quick note for those that are just now getting their comissioning uniforms - You CAN'T deduct the cost of the following: Dress Blue Blouse, Trousers, White Shirt, White Trousers, Service Alpha Blouse, Trousers, Khaki Short Sleeve, Khaki Long Sleeve, Khaki Ties, Corframs, Covers, Rank Insignia, Ribbons, Badges, Collar Devices, and socks.
You CAN however, deduct the following: Cammies, Boots, Cammie Covers and Medals (if you have one anodized, they all have to be - may have to suck up the cost of the first one, gets kinda shady at that point), medal mounting services, tailoring, and sword.
Don't forget to add in off-duty education (get some money back from what TA and GI won't cover), CFC arm-twisting, Navy/Marine Corps Relief arm-twisting, Wardroom (or Officer) dues, per-head Mandatory fun parties, Marine Corps Ball Tickets, Vehicle Property Tax (as long as everyone in the state doesn't pay the same amount, and your tax is not based on the weight of the vehicle), Hotels during a PCS (USMC won't reimburse those, and those are deductible), and hands-free headset (required for on-base, and if you're on duty you must have a cell phone).
However, and most importantly - don't forget YOUR HOUSE, and if you don't have one - use the standard deduction. The pain of itemizing is not worth your time. Guess who just finished his taxes?!? I'm amazed that when it was all said and done, that my taxable income was $7800 (blame it on 7 months in Iraq), and my taxes were still $540. If I was LIVING on $7800, $540 would HURT! Luckily, I get back $2300 and some change (because I already gave them $2900)...
You CAN however, deduct the following: Cammies, Boots, Cammie Covers and Medals (if you have one anodized, they all have to be - may have to suck up the cost of the first one, gets kinda shady at that point), medal mounting services, tailoring, and sword.
Don't forget to add in off-duty education (get some money back from what TA and GI won't cover), CFC arm-twisting, Navy/Marine Corps Relief arm-twisting, Wardroom (or Officer) dues, per-head Mandatory fun parties, Marine Corps Ball Tickets, Vehicle Property Tax (as long as everyone in the state doesn't pay the same amount, and your tax is not based on the weight of the vehicle), Hotels during a PCS (USMC won't reimburse those, and those are deductible), and hands-free headset (required for on-base, and if you're on duty you must have a cell phone).
However, and most importantly - don't forget YOUR HOUSE, and if you don't have one - use the standard deduction. The pain of itemizing is not worth your time. Guess who just finished his taxes?!? I'm amazed that when it was all said and done, that my taxable income was $7800 (blame it on 7 months in Iraq), and my taxes were still $540. If I was LIVING on $7800, $540 would HURT! Luckily, I get back $2300 and some change (because I already gave them $2900)...
As far as donations. A receipt with a list of what you donated is all the IRS needs if audited. If it is a high ticket item, like a car donation, take pictures to keep in your tax folder for that year. You may need to justify the donation write off as FMV (fair market value) if asked.