Don't overlook these tax deductions

Every year, millions of Americans pay higher taxes than necessary because they fail to take legitimate deductions.  Don't overlook deductions which can help you minimize your income tax bill.  For example:

Be aware of new deductions for 2002.  This includes the deduction for college tuition and related fees ($3,000 limit) and the deduction fo teachers who buy their own classroom supplies ($250 limit).  Since these are "above the line" deductions, you don't have to itemize deductions on your tax return to claim them.

Keep track of your mileage.  You can take a deduction for charitable driving.  Keep a record of your trips and deduct 14 cents per mile as a charitable contribution.  Mileage is also deductible at 13 cents per mile if you use your car to go for medical appointments or treatment.  You'll have to itemize your deductions on your 2002 return to claim these mileage expenses.

Write off job-hunting expenses.  Job search expenses (such as costs of resume preparation, employment agency fees, and travel to a job interview) may be deductible as a miscellaneous itemized deduction, even if they don't produce a new job.  You must be looking for a job in your current field, however, and it can't be your first job.

To get the best tax results, tax planning and good recordkeeping are important.