What do you claim on your taxes?

Anything football or school related that I pay out of pocket.

I claim all mileage to and from clinics, visits to colleges, meals at clinics, clinic fee's that the school does not cover. My AFM subscription, any books or videos I buy. Food for staff meetings, captains meetings, leadership council meetings.

As far as mileage to and from clinics, what if you fly to attend a clinic? How would that be handled? Airfare/hotel/meals? Mostly the airfare?

How about strip bars? Can you write them off if you save the cocktail napkins with the Xs and Os written on them?

I was told by a tax preparer that coaching is considered a second job so you can claim mileage if you have to go from one building to the next or on weekends when you come into to work.

you can take any out of pocket expense like clinics or coaching videos

you have to keep your receipts though.

Do you have some substantial 1099 income?


If not, you need to adjust your withholdings, unless you are disciplined enough to have saved the 5k........


I'm pure 1099 income, and I didn't owe over 5k

I pay 5000 every month in taxes.

Airman, what's your point?

He wanted to let us know that he makes a lot of money...

I take the standard deduction and the $300 teacher credit.

Take the 250 teacher credit, also claim any videos, clinic fees, hotels for clinics, polos, hats, etc. My accountant encourages it, she says its the equivalent of a 2nd job. The crazy part is when I compare what I spent with what I make... I'm basically coaching for $800 a year!

You can claim any supplies you buy out of your own pocket that are required for the job.

If you have to drive to practice or stadium after you normal day job is over, you can claim that mileage as a second job. It added up for me this year and saved me some money.

Does this go for volunteer coaches (youth)? Hmmm...

my point is simple this, If everyone had to write out a check each month to government we would then have a flat tax which is much fairer and equitable.

say 7% of your income goes to taxes you keep the other 93% to do as you wish.

a consumption tax would be even more fair then a flat tax.

according to the tax policy center only 47% wage earners pay taxes into the federal government. so 53% live off the other 47%.

I personally believe we should tax the poor more. it would be a strong force to move them out of poverty. ben franklin warned about making the poor to comfortable in their poverty.

Our tax guy is very cautious about red-flags brought up through coaching. Cleated or turf shoes (Coaching shoes) are the only real "uniform" deduction allowed. Sneakers, shorts, coaching polos, pants, etc. are considered normal everyday attire that is non-deductible. Hats as well are not deductible. Cell phone use has to be documented by call, computer use by minutes, its a very slippery slope. Dry cleaning is only for those items that are not usable for everyday wear...so suits, ties, shirts, etc. don't qualify since you would clean them anyhow. If you are a science teacher and have a lab coat...that would qualify as an example of a deductible dry cleaning expense. Mileage is certainly deductible, as are unreimbursed expenses for "continuing education" through clinics, certification courses, dues, etc. The risk of writing off $50/month for those other things are not worth the risk IMO.