"Tax loopholes" are legal provisions within the tax code, also known as deductions, credits, and exclusions, that allow individuals and businesses to legally reduce their tax liability.
Backdoor IRAs, carried interest, and life insurance are just some of the loopholes you can use to reduce your tax bills. It's important to plan correctly and use the right loopholes, credits, and deductions for your unique situation.
One often overlooked tax loophole is the advantage of hiring family members. It does not matter if you are a one-person business or have several employees; hiring your spouse or child can bring you considerable tax savings. You might be familiar with the “basic personal amount” of your spouse or child that is tax-free.
The "20k rule" refers to the traditional IRS threshold for reporting income from payment apps and online marketplaces on Form 1099-K: over $20,000 in gross payments AND more than 200 transactions in a calendar year. While a law (the American Rescue Plan) temporarily lowered the threshold to $600, recent legislation, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) (OBBBA), has reinstated the $20,000/200-transaction rule for tax years starting in 2025, providing relief for casual sellers and gig workers.
Undertaxed profits rule
Broadly, the UTPR requires a taxpayer to pay top-up tax relating to low-taxed profit of any group entity if it has not been already subject to an income inclusion rule. The UTPR liability is reduced by the amount of QDMTT paid on the low-taxed profit.
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In Canada, a $2,000 tax credit often refers to the Pension Income Amount (Line 31400) for seniors receiving eligible pension/annuity income, creating a $300 federal credit (15% of $2,000), or a provincial Training Tax Credit for Apprentices, like British Columbia's $2,000 for completing specific training levels, while other benefits like the GST/HST Credit or Disability Benefit offer amounts varying based on income and family situation, not a fixed $2,000 for everyone.
Misspelled names. Likewise, a name listed on a tax return should match the name on that person's Social Security card. Entering information inaccurately. Wages, dividends, bank interest, and other income received and that was reported on an information return should be entered carefully.
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The IRS 7-year rule primarily applies to keeping records for claiming a deduction for bad debts or losses from worthless securities, allowing a longer period to file for a credit or refund, but it's not a universal audit limit; it's often a recommended safe buffer for general record-keeping, with the standard IRS audit period usually being 3 years, extending to 6 years for substantial income omission (over 25%) or foreign income issues, and indefinitely for fraud.
Some of the most common federal tax deductions include:
A recent tax law ("One Big Beautiful Bill") introduced a new $6,000 bonus deduction for Americans aged 65 and older, available for tax years 2025-2028, reducing taxable income, not the tax itself, with income phase-outs starting at $75,000 MAGI for singles and $150,000 for joint filers. This deduction adds to existing standard deductions, provides up to $12,000 for couples, and requires a Social Security number and filing status other than Married Filing Separately.
You can claim up to $50,000 in qualifying expenditures for each qualifying renovation that is completed. The tax credit is 15% of your costs, up to a maximum of $7,500, for each claim you are eligible to make.
The following are good options for your tax money, and should be the top priorities for your refund.
Situations where you can claim on tax without receipts
Canada's 90% rule helps non-residents and recent immigrants claim full federal tax credits (like the Basic Personal Amount) if 90% or more of their net worldwide income for the relevant tax year is from Canadian sources; otherwise, credits are prorated (reduced) based on their Canadian residency period, ensuring fairness for those who weren't residents all year.
The 10-year rule is a guideline that some campgrounds and RV parks use to restrict access to older recreational vehicles. It means that only RVs manufactured within the last 10 years are allowed to stay at the campground, or they must pass an inspection to ensure they meet appearance and safety standards.
For a $70,000 income in Canada (using 2025 rates), you'll pay roughly $13,000 to $20,000 in total taxes (federal, provincial, CPP, EI), depending on your province, resulting in a take-home pay around $50,000-$59,000, with federal tax around 14.5% or 20.5% depending on the portion, plus provincial tax and deductions like CPP and EI.