• Mortgage interest is a common tax deduction for personal expenses.house image by david hughes from Fotolia.com
  
  The Internal Revenue Service provides taxpayers with numerous write-offs or deductions for an array of expenditures that are personal in nature. Each type of deduction has specific eligibility requirements and is only available to taxpayers who elect to itemize deductions. Therefore, to take advantage of these tax benefits, the total deductible expenses in a year must exceed the standard deduction.
  
  

Mortgage Interest

• Taxpayers who finance the purchase or construction of a home with a mortgage secured by the home are eligible to deduct the amount of interest paid each year on the loan. The deduction is limited to interest paid on a maximum aggregate principal loan balance of $1 million for two personal residences. Also included in deductible mortgage interest are points, loan origination fees and loan discounts. These amounts can be deducted in full in the year paid.
  
  

Property Tax

• Taxes paid to state and local governments are deductible if the tax assessment is based on real property value and is imposed uniformly on all real property within the jurisdiction. Furthermore, eligibility for this tax deduction requires that the state or local government use the tax revenue for the general welfare of the jurisdiction.
  
  

Medical

• Expenditures for medical treatment and care can be deducted if paid to obtain a diagnosis, to treat a disease or any part or function of the body, and to alleviate or prevent a physical or mental illness or defect. Services that are only beneficial to general health will not qualify for the deduction. The deduction is limited to the annual aggregate amount that exceeds 7.5 percent of adjusted gross income.
  
  

Job Search

• The expenses associated with finding a job such as travel, employment agency fees and amounts paid for preparing and mailing resumes, can be deducted if you were employed prior to incurring the expenses. To qualify for the benefit, you must seek employment within the same line of work soon after your most recent employment ended. The amount of the deduction is limited to the total job search expenses that exceed 2 percent of your adjusted gross income.
  
  

Moving

• Personal moving expenses are deductible only when a move is related to employment. To qualify, the moving expenditures must be paid within one year of starting a new job. However, it is not necessary that you moved for a specific job. You will still be eligible for the deduction even if your job search did not begin until after the move. Additionally, the location of the new employment must be 50 miles farther from your previous home than your previous job was. The deduction will be disallowed if you do not work full time for a minimum of 39 weeks within the first 12 months of your arrival at the new location of your home.