Tuition and Fees Deduction

• If you pay for higher-educational expenses for yourself or a dependent, you may be able to deduct part or all of those expenses as an above-the-line deduction. For 2009, the limit for this deduction is $4,000.
  
  

Real-Estate Taxes

• If you paid real-estate taxes to a state or local government, you can deduct those expenses. The first $500, or $1,000 if filing a joint return, is deductible as an above-the-line deduction and the remaining amount as an itemized deduction. Though the deductions are for the same thing, they are two separate deductions, meaning you can take the above-the-line deduction without having to take the itemized deduction.
  
  

Mortgage Interest

• The interest that you pay on the first $500,000 of your mortgage, $1 million if you file a joint return, is deductible as an itemized deduction. If your mortgage is older than October 13, 1987, there is no limit on the amount of interest you can deduct.
  
  

Self-Employment Health Insurance

• If you are self-employed, you can deduct the costs that you incur for health insurance for yourself as well as your family. This is an above-the-line deduction, and the maximum amount you can deduct per person depends on the age and is adjusted annually.
  
  

State Income Tax or Sales Tax

• If you itemize your deductions, you can chose to take out either the amount you pay in state income tax or the amount you pay in state sales tax, but not both.