re: Ways to lower Taxable Income

I'm by no means a tax expert but being a W-2 employee what you have listed is about it. But, should you form an LLC and buy a rent house, there are lots of things to depreciate and write-off. Like mileage, portion of your electricity and insurance, etc. Oh yea, the home builder show in Vegas, that’s a business trip. I also looked at real estate investment potential in Hawaii, that’s another business trip. You get the idea. If real estate is not your thing, there are many other home type side business’ to create. That is what opens the door to itemized deductions.