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9 Legal Tax Deductions You Can Claim Even if You Lost the Receipts

You don't have to be an accounting wizard to capitalize on these useful tax deductions.

By Michelle Smith

Updated Feb. 5, 2026

Tax season always sneaks up faster than expected, and if you've lost or tossed receipts, you might assume you're missing out on valuable deductions. But that's not always the case.

The IRS allows certain deductions even without receipts, as long as you have reliable financial documentation. Here's a closer look at the tax breaks you may still be able to claim in 2026 and what you need to support them.

Home office deduction (simplified method)

If you're self-employed and work from home, the simplified home office deduction lets you claim $5 per square foot of a dedicated workspace, up to 300 square feet. That's a maximum deduction of $1,500, and no receipts are required. You just need to know the size of your workspace and ensure it's used exclusively for business.

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Business-related cell phone bills

You can deduct the business-use portion of your personal cell phone bill if you're self-employed. You don't need receipts, but you do need itemized phone records or call logs that show how much of your usage is for work.

Traditional IRA contributions

If you contributed to a traditional IRA outside of work, you may be able to deduct those contributions, even without a receipt. Use your bank statements or account records to confirm how much you contributed.

Just keep in mind: if you or your spouse is covered by a workplace plan, your deduction may be limited depending on your income.

Self-employment taxes

Self-employed workers pay both the employer and employee portion of Social Security and Medicare taxes. Fortunately, you can deduct half of that amount directly from your taxable income.

This deduction is available even if you take the standard deduction and doesn't require any receipts. Your income and tax forms will show the correct amount.

Student loan interest

You may be able to deduct up to $2,500 in student loan interest, depending on your income. No receipts are necessary. Just grab your loan statement or Form 1098-E to verify the amount of interest you paid.

Business vehicle use (standard mileage method)

If you used your car for business and didn't keep every fuel or repair receipt, you can still claim a deduction using the standard mileage rate. For 2026, that rate is 72.5 cents per mile.

Keep a mileage log or record of work-related trips to support your claim. There's no need to calculate exact expenses or save gas receipts.

Health insurance premiums for the self-employed

If you're self-employed and pay your own health insurance premiums, those costs may be deductible. You don't need a receipt, but you'll need bank statements or insurance billing records to verify the amounts.

This applies only if you're not eligible for coverage through a spouse's employer plan.

Business trip expenses (with alternate documentation)

Travel expenses for business, like lodging or transportation, can be deductible even if you don't have every receipt. Bank statements, credit card charges, or per-diem rates may serve as backup documentation.

Just make sure the trip was strictly business-related. Personal travel expenses can't be claimed.

Charitable donations under $250

For donations under $250, a bank record, credit card statement, or acknowledgment email from the nonprofit is typically enough. You don't need a formal receipt unless the donation was $250 or more, in which case the IRS requires a written acknowledgment from the organization.

Bottom line

You don't always need a stack of receipts to claim valuable tax deductions. In many cases, bank statements, billing records, or standardized deduction methods are enough. That said, it's always smart to stay organized, and if you're unsure, a financial advisor or tax professional can help you determine which deductions make the most sense for your situation.

Getting your paperwork together now can help you keep more of what you earn when tax season rolls around, even if you're missing a few receipts.

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Editor's Note: Portions of this story were drafted with assistance from generative AI tools. All final creative decisions, edits, and fact checking were done by human writers and editors.