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Tax Deduction for Legal Fees on Tax Returns | The Good Tax Guide

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Tax Deduction for Legal Fees on Tax Return

Posted by Tax Guide in Tax Submission, tax deduction | 1 Comment

Deduction in tax can be obtained for legal fees if the dispute involves business, property or employment or property. In such case deductions can be made while filing the tax returns. But the legal fees which are used for personal matters will not get any tax discounts while filing the tax returns. Such legal fees should be included in the tax returns as they are taxable. Legal fees related to alimony are tax deductible. But the legal fee concerned with divorce is also not taxable. Legal fees used as the estate planning fees are tax deductible and can be deducted on the tax returns. But in all the cases there will be limit and if the amount goes above that limit then it will become taxable. Other non taxable legal fees include will disputes and wrongful death suites. Will dispute is not taxable as it is an inherited income. It should be reported in the tax returns. All the legal fees which are not taxable should be appropriately mentioned in the tax returns. Otherwise penalties may be charged. Legal fee involved in tile dispute or property dispute is not taxable also. In case of personal injuries, the legal fess depends on the situation.

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  1. Peter Protopapa, March 23, 2010:

    My situation is as follows:

    I had a wrongfull dismissal suit that i used a lawyer for. I obtained a settlement and received a W2 taking out taxes for the whole amount.

    The company sent the proceeds (minus taxes) to the lawyer directly and he took out his gross fee (which I had paid tax on) and sent me the balance.

    How would I report this on the return?

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