Paying our federal, state, and local taxes is something that we must all do. Taxes are necessary, yes. But paying them is not pleasant and the vast majority of us do it reluctantly. Most of us want to pay our fair share, but not a penny more than that.

A tax attorney Utah can help ensure that you pay only what you must pay, and that you take advantage of as many deductions as possible. Deductions are legal, of course. But they often are missed by people who are not as familiar with the tax codes as tax attorneys are.

Here are some tax deductions that might surprise you. (Of course they come as no surprise to good Utah tax attorneys).

Are you an animal lover? Do you assist your local animal shelter by donating pet food or other supplies? If you secure a letter from the organization that confirms that you have donated supplies, and if you save your receipts, you can use those expenses as a tax deduction.

Do you have children? Most working parents know they can deduct the cost of a child’s daycare. But many parents do not realize that this applies not only to typical “daycare facilities” but also to baby-sitting services, day camps, and even after-school programs. The important thing to keep in mind is that you must have proper documentation – and your Utah tax attorney can make sure that you do.

Perhaps, like so many Americans, you are looking for employment. When you are unemployed or underemployed, every dollar becomes important. So it is good news that if you are looking for a new job in the same field that you already are working in, if you keep very detailed records and receipts, you can deduct the costs associated with printing and mailing cover letters and resumes, making phone inquiries about jobs, and even traveling for an interview. A tax attorney can help ensure that you have sufficient documentation to satisfy the IRS that the expenses are legitimate job-hunting expenditures.

If you think you might want to change jobs, and you invest in learn-from-home tools or courses designed to educate you about how to start you own business, you can deduct those fees if you keep your receipts.

Are you a do-it-yourselfer? A savvy tax attorney would inform you that you could save money by focusing on energy-saving home improvements. If you install a solar-energy water heater or a natural gas-powered water heater in your home, or simply insulate your attic, you can deduct a portion of the cost from your taxes.