News & Trending Tax News

10 Bizarre Tax Deductions (And How To Make Them Work for You)

Tax law can be pretty weird — and these write-offs prove it

tax payers reviewing bills
Updated Sept. 24, 2024
Fact checked

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

Tax deductions offer a tried-and-true way to help you reduce your money stress by lowering your tax bill.

Some of these deductions are truly strange, however. Despite being weird, you can take advantage of them — although you should always confer with a tax professional to make sure you qualify and that you don’t run afoul of the IRS.

Here are 10 bizarre deductions that are surprisingly real.

If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive discounts and financial resources

Over 50? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member you could be missing out on huge perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on things like travel, meal deliveries, eyeglasses, prescriptions that aren’t covered by insurance and more.

How to become a member today:

  • Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
  • Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
  • Start enjoying your discounts and perks!

Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (Do not skip this step!) Doing so will allow you to take up 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $12 per year with auto-renewal.

Become an AARP member now

A new swimming pool

bmak/Adobe home exterior with large swimming pool

The swimming pool you built at your home may qualify for a partial deduction as a medical expense — depending on what your accountant and the IRS have to say.

Your doctor must prescribe swimming as medical treatment to qualify for the deduction. Only the costs related to the medical modifications (e.g., special lifts, ramps) are deductible. 

However, the IRS will likely want to determine whether you are using the pool for medical reasons.

Damages from a ransomware attack

Danish/Adobe malware alert popup on laptop screen

Ransomware is the bane of many businesses. Hackers breach computer systems with malicious software, encrypt business data, and then demand money to unlock it.

While the federal government advises against paying the ransom, it might let you deduct the money you paid to get your information back. Bear in mind that you will have to prove precisely what went down. And the deduction is not guaranteed.

Resolve $10,000 or more of your debt

Credit card debt is suffocating. It constantly weighs on your mind and controls every choice you make. You can end up emotionally and even physically drained from it. And even though you make regular payments, it feels like you can never make any progress because of the interest.

National Debt Relief could help you resolve your credit card debt with an affordable plan that works for you. Just tell them your situation, then find out your debt relief options.1

How to get National Debt Relief to help you resolve your debt: Sign up for a free debt assessment here. (Do not skip this step!) By signing up for a free assessment, National Debt Relief can assist you in settling your debt, but only if you schedule the assessment.

Try it

Prescription drugs that help you quit smoking

Nopphon/Adobe man breaking cigarette in half

Kicking a smoking habit is no easy task. One way smokers try to quit is through over-the-counter patches and nicotine gum — but this tax deduction does not cover those.

What it does cover are prescribed medications designed to make your body less dependent on nicotine. They count as a medical expense.

Hiring a baby sitter while you do good works

Louis-Photo/Adobe babysitter reading book to baby girl

Much to the chagrin of parents across America, child care is not typically deductible. But there is one exception to the rule.

If the only way you can volunteer for charity is by hiring a babysitter, the sitter’s fees themselves count as charitable contributions.

Body oil for professional bodybuilders

AYAimages/Adobe bodybuilder working out with dumbbells

Most people who buy body oil to make their skin feel better cannot deduct the cost.

However, professional bodybuilders can deduct the cost of oil since it’s necessary for their profession. They can itemize ordinary expenses, including body oil, which makes their muscles shine.

Gym memberships for those under a doctor’s orders

Евгений Вершинин/Adobe Rows of dumbbells in gym

To deduct a gym membership, a doctor must diagnose you with a specific medical condition, and the gym has to be used as part of the treatment.

It might be difficult to deduct the cost of the gym if you were already a member before the diagnosis, however.

Some types of cosmetic surgery

Georgii/Adobe Doctors performing abdominoplasty surgery

This does not pertain to what many people think of as “cosmetic surgery” in the TV or tabloid sense.

Instead, the IRS says it is limited to surgery that helps “ameliorate a deformity arising from, or directly related to, a congenital abnormality, a personal injury resulting from an accident or trauma, or a disfiguring disease.”

Costs associated with a service animal

najmah/Adobe Man in wheelchair with dog

Pets are wonderful for all sorts of reasons. In addition to being great companions, they can also help reduce stress and anxiety.

Service animals are lifesavers for people with disabilities. The costs of buying, training, and maintaining a service animal for visual, hearing, or physical disabilities can be deducted.

Such expenses include food, grooming, and veterinary care to keep your best friend healthy.

Earn cash back on everyday purchases with this rare account

Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover®️ Cashback Debit Checking account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!2

With no credit check to apply and no monthly fees to worry about, you can earn nearly passive income on purchases you’re making anyway — up to an extra $360 a year!

This rare checking account has other great perks too, like access to your paycheck up to 2 days early with Early Pay, no minimum deposit or monthly balance requirements, over 60K fee-free ATMs, and the ability to add cash to your account at Walmart stores nationwide.

Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.

Apply for a Discover Cashback Checking account today

Gambling losses

Jang/Adobe people besides roulette wheel in casino

You win some, you lose some: Oddly enough, there can be a benefit to losing.

Gambling winnings are taxable, but gambling losses are deductible. There are a few caveats, of course. You can only deduct gambling losses if you itemize deductions on Schedule A (Form 1040) and maintain a record of your winnings and losses.

Deductions cannot exceed your reported gambling income. Report gambling losses up to your winnings under "Other Itemized Deductions."

Lawn care for some business owners

ronstik/Adobe gardening tools on green grass

If you own your own business and run it out of your home, you might be able to write off your lawn care expenses as a business expense.

The argument for doing so is that if clients come to your home, it needs to look good if you're going to project a professional image.

Bottom line

Jaroon/Adobe Idea of tax deduction planning concept

Make no mistake: the IRS will check out your deductions. So, don’t try to pull a fast one on Uncle Sam.

But if you qualify for any of the deductions on this list, taking them can help you get ahead financially.

Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards

5.0
info

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Current Offer

$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks
Card Details


Author Details

Will Vitka

Will Vitka is a D.C. area reporter and writer. He previously worked for WTOP, The New York Post, Stuff Magazine, and CBS News.