As a taxpayer, you may come across tax deductions and tax credits as a part of tax benefit. These terms might be alien to you, but one needs to understand these well to get benefits and deductions. The tax deductions lessen the taxable income and the final value is computed on the marginal tax rate of the individual. The marginal tax rate increases with the rise in the income of the taxpayer. Tax credits, on the other hand, reduce the taxes directly. Therefore, these credits do not rely on the rates of the taxes. However, the value of the credit depends on the taxpayer’s tax liability.
Nonrefundable tax credits
If you are wondering if the tax benefits can bring down the tax to zero, then there are nonrefundable tax credits to help you out. Most tax credits are nonrefundable. So, the income filers who fall under the low-income bracket do not fully benefit from the nonrefundable tax credits.
There are other tax credits that can be partially or fully refundable. If the tax liability value surpasses of an individual, then the surplus amount is paid back to the income tax filer.
Tax benefits of education
Taxpayers can avail benefits of education through tax credits for higher education.
Who is eligible for an education credit claim?
There are various criteria that let you avail the claim under education credit, but one must meet the following requirements to benefit from the same. Take a look!
- The qualified education expenditures for a higher education is paid by you, your dependent or a third party
- An eligible student must be registered at a qualified educational institute
- The enrolled student must be either you, your spouse or a dependent whom you have mentioned while filing your tax returns
Here are some of the tax deductions under education.
- Qualified education expenditures
- Qualifying work-related education
- Education to improve or maintain skills
- Tuition and fees deduction
- Student loan interest deduction
- Qualified student loan
- Education required by law or by employer
- Lifetime learning credit
Tax benefits of homeownership
One of the advantages of homeownership is that the credited rental income does not qualify under the taxable income bracket. But, the property holders would exclude the property tax payments and mortgage interest with other expenses from the income that is taxable. Also, the homeowners may deduct the capital gains from the sale of the home but up to a defined limit only. However, all of these tax benefits are a boon to those who are under the high-income tax brackets and not others. Therefore, the tax benefits and deductions under homeownership include:
- Property tax deduction
- Imputed rent
- Profits from home sales
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How to Pick the Right Dog Food for a Sensitive Stomach
Read moreIn today’s world, where you are presented with over a dozen choices for every item you would purchase for your own kitchen, it is not surprising that you have an equal number of options for your dog’s food. However, choosing the perfect brand and formula for your dog out of a range of options in the market is not an easy job.
Your pet depends on you and trusts you to make the right choice for them. Therefore, it is imperative that you do your research about the products available in the market, understand what your dog needs, know what might be your pet’s problems, and then make a sound decision.
What is a sensitive stomach?
Dogs are known to have voracious and large appetites. Keeping that in mind, it is normal to assume that they have strong stomachs. They can eat close to anything be it sweets, bakes, chewy gum, hard leather or even woolen socks for that matter! It always so happens that the strongest of them are prone to allergies and can develop a disorder which is medically translated as a sensitive stomach. This might be due to a sudden change in the food habits or even due an infection picked up from somewhere.
How to handle a sensitive stomach
Whatever may be the cause, dogs with a sensitive stomach should be given food very carefully. This would mainly be to ensure that the problem does not persist. You should always talk to your vet regarding potential issues with your dog’s stomach. There are also various signs that you can look for.
Symptoms to look out for
Most of the symptoms in a dog with sensitive stomach are visible, uncomfortable, and uneasy. These can include vomiting, nausea, rashes, diarrhea, restlessness, and fever. A key to understanding the cause and effect of a sensitive stomach is the period in which the symptoms occur. If it occurs 24 hours within consumption of the meal, then you can be assured where the reaction is coming from.
Once you have narrowed down that your food formula is the reason your dog is unwell, you need to pick the best dog food for a sensitive stomach. Well, there are quite a few ways by which you can do so. An elimination diet can prove to be the easiest.
Elimination diet for a dog with a sensitive stomach
As the name suggests, the diet involves cutting down one food item at a time until all the symptoms disappear. This is also a methodology that most vets might prescribe. It works in most cases. It has proven to show positive results for most dog owners. The most common advice that vets give is to cut down known allergens first.
Here is a short list of the common allergens found in canines.
-Beef
-Dairy
-Eggs
-Wheat
-Soy
-Chicken
-Corn
-Lamb
After you have narrowed down the ingredient that is the cause of the problem, you will be ready to pick from the below list of stomach sensitive dog foods.
Best dog foods for a sensitive stomach
The following are some of the best dog foods for a sensitive stomach.
-Taste of the wild child, canine formula
-Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dry Dog Food
-Natural Balance Vegetarian Dry Dog Food
-Wellness Simple Natural Wet Canned Limited Ingredient Dog Food
-BLUE Basics Limited-Ingredient Formula Adult Dry Dog Food
-Nature’s Variety Instinct Raw Boost Grain Free Recipe Natural Dry Dog Food
-Solid Gold Holistic Dog Food for Small & Toy Breeds, Dry and Wet with Superfoods
-Purina Pro Plan FOCUS Focus Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula
If the above list is not up to your satisfaction, you could always consult your vet regarding the same.
Does your dog need the best food for a sensitive stomach?
This is a question that only your vet can give a true answer to. This mostly depends on how far your dog can bear with the conditions and how far along you are willing to push it. If an allergy is confirmed, shifting your dog to a formula or the best dog food for a sensitive stomach may be the best solution to cure the discomfort your dog is facing.
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4 essential tips to find free glucose meters
Read moreFor diabetics, it is essential to regularly keep track of their blood sugar levels. Checking blood glucose levels helps in controlling diabetes. This also helps to avoid the complications of diabetes such as neuropathy, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, skin problems, and foot damage. It is recommended that a person with diabetes should go through a complete blood test at least twice to thrice a year. However, regular blood sugar tests can be done at home with glucose meters.
Although many blood glucose meters are affordable, they might make a dent in your pocket. If you are looking for free glucose meters, here are a few tips to help you find glucose meters free of cost:
- The first thing to do is to ask your doctor regarding the recommended brands of glucose meters. Doctors usually know which brands are commonly used by patients and which brands are popular due to their quality and price. Your doctor will know which glucose meters are the most affordable.
- Once you have the list from your doctor, contact your insurance company. Ask them which brands recommended by your doctor are covered by insurance. Many insurance companies reimburse the total cost of glucose meters and test strips. However, it might happen that you can get a free glucose meter which is not approved by the insurance company. In such cases, you might have to pay out of your own pocket for test strips and other supplies that you might require in the future.
- Many insurance companies also have a list of approved pharmacies. You may get free glucose meters from these pharmacies, or the cost will be reimbursed by your insurance. Also, many mail-order pharmacies offer free glucose meters to their customers along with supplying test strips for 90 days.
- Check the websites of popular glucose meter brands. Many offer free glucose meters on trial basis based on certain qualifying parameters. The parameters may include for how long you had diabetes, type of diabetes, whether you have used glucose meters before, and the brand of glucose meter you have used. If you apply for free glucose meters this way, ensure that you read the terms and conditions carefully to avoid any additional out-of-pocket expenses.