Easy guide to tax loopholes TurboTax misses
Source: dailymail.co.uk
TL;DR
- Daily Mail guide details five new tax breaks from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that TurboTax users might miss or claim wrong ahead of April 15 deadline.
- 22 million taxpayers have claimed the no-tax-on-overtime deduction, but only the premium pay half qualifies, saving hundreds per person if done right.
- Proper claims could save thousands in federal taxes, but errors risk IRS audits or smaller refunds since states and payroll taxes still apply.
The story at a glance
A Daily Mail article by Benjamin Curry explains five new federal tax deductions from last year's One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), warning that even TurboTax can't always catch errors from bad employer data. It targets overtime workers, tipped employees, seniors, car buyers, and high-tax state residents with rules, examples, and risks. The piece runs now because the April 15 filing deadline looms, and over one in five overtime claims may already be off.[[1]](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/yourmoney/article-15712603/tax-loopholes-turbotax-guide.html)
Key points
- No tax on overtime: Deduct only the premium (half in time-and-a-half); 22 million claims so far, but check pay stubs as employers may report wrong; saves ~$660 for typical worker.[[1]](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/yourmoney/article-15712603/tax-loopholes-turbotax-guide.html)
- No tax on tips: Voluntary tips only, up to $25,000 cap; use 20% of wages rule if undocumented; bartender example saves ~$2,254; IRS may demand proof.[[1]](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/yourmoney/article-15712603/tax-loopholes-turbotax-guide.html)
- Senior deduction: Extra $6,000 ($12,000 joint) for 65+, stacks on standard and existing senior breaks; phases out over $75,000 income; couple example boosts tax-free amount to $46,700.[[1]](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/yourmoney/article-15712603/tax-loopholes-turbotax-guide.html)
- Auto loan interest: Up to $10,000 on new US-assembled cars (no used or leases); verify VIN; first-year example saves ~$568 on $2,580 interest.[[1]](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/yourmoney/article-15712603/tax-loopholes-turbotax-guide.html)
- SALT deduction: Cap rises to $40,000 from $10,000 for state/local taxes; phases out over $500,000; reverts in 2030; high-tax couple saves ~$7,200.[[1]](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/yourmoney/article-15712603/tax-loopholes-turbotax-guide.html)
- All apply just to federal income tax; states, Social Security, and Medicare taxes unchanged.
Details and context
These breaks stem from OBBBA passed last year, confusing filers as software relies on W-2 data that employers might botch—like marking full overtime pay as qualified.
Overtime and tips have clearest IRS guidance so far; auto and senior rules demand personal checks like VIN lookups or age proof.
SALT helps blue-state homeowners most but sunsets soon, while overclaims (especially overtime) already hit 1 in 5 of 90 million returns, per experts.
Key quotes
- "You might end up paying more or less tax than you should if your employer gets it wrong." – Anil Melwani, CPA, 212 Tax Services.[[1]](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/yourmoney/article-15712603/tax-loopholes-turbotax-guide.html)
- "A lot of taxpayers are confused about how to properly claim these new deductions." – David A Perez, CEO of Tax Maverick AI.[[1]](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/yourmoney/article-15712603/tax-loopholes-turbotax-guide.html)
Why it matters
New breaks could cut federal tax bills for millions in hourly jobs, retirement, or high-cost areas, but mistakes amplify IRS workload and audits.
Workers and seniors might claim hundreds to thousands extra back if they double-check stubs and rules beyond TurboTax prompts; high earners gain least due to phaseouts.
Watch IRS updates on documentation before filing, as state rules vary and some breaks like SALT expire in 2030.[[1]](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/yourmoney/article-15712603/tax-loopholes-turbotax-guide.html)