APPENDIX B Checklist of Tax-Free Items

When items are not included in income, and in some cases not even reported on the return, there are considerable tax savings. Here is a list of tax-free items for 2014 tax returns.

  • 529 plan withdrawals to pay qualified higher education costs
  • Accelerated death benefits under a life insurance policy
  • Adoption costs paid by employer up to $13,100
  • Awards to certain employees (usually up to $1,600)
  • Bequests
  • Black lung benefit payments
  • Capital gains and capital gain distributions for those in the 10% or 15% tax bracket
  • Charitable transfers of IRA distributions up to $100,000 by those age 70½ and older (if this rule is extended for 2014)
  • Child support payments
  • Coverdell education savings account withdrawals to pay education costs
  • Crime victim payments from a state fund for this purpose
  • Damages received for personal physical injury
  • Debt discharged during insolvency or bankruptcy
  • Dependent care expenses paid by employer up to $5,000
  • Disability payments under a policy in which you paid the premiums
  • Disaster relief payments and disaster mitigation grants
  • Discounts on purchases you make
  • Dividends for those in the 10% or 15% tax bracket
  • Education courses paid by employer (fully ...

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