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Home » Taxes » Annual Tax Guide » Credits » Tax Credit vs. Tax Deduction: Which Is Better To Help You Save?

Tax Credit vs. Tax Deduction: Which Is Better To Help You Save?

Updated: January 26, 2023 By Robert Farrington

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Tax Credit vs Tax Deduction

Trying to figure out how to maximize your tax refund? Understanding tax credits and tax deductions can help you optimize your tax return and cut your overall tax liability.

Tax credits cut your tax bill dollar for dollar by the amount of the credit. Tax deductions lower your taxable income which may reduce your overall tax liability. 

While tax deductions are less impactful than tax credits, you may be able to claim both on your tax return.

Table of Contents
What Is A Tax Credit?
What Is A Tax Deduction?
What Is Better: A Tax Credit Or A Tax Deduction?
Do I Need To Know Whether To Claim A Tax Credit Or A Deduction?

What Is A Tax Credit?

When you are eligible for a tax credit, you subtract the amount of the credit from the overall federal income tax that you have to pay. This dollar-for-dollar reduction has the power to dramatically reduce your overall tax liability. 

Nonrefundable tax credits can take your total tax liability to $0. Refundable tax credits (like the Child Tax Credit or the Earned Income Tax Credit) entitle filers to a refund, even if they have $0 in tax liability. 

For example, a married couple earning $120,000 with two children under the age of 17 can claim a $2,000 tax credit for each child. The Child Tax Credit will reduce their tax liability by $4,000.

Some popular tax credits include: 

  • The Saver’s Credit you can claim if you meet income requirements and you contribute to an eligible retirement account. 
  • The American Opportunity Tax Credit allows you to claim a tax credit for higher education expenses when you or a dependent attends school. You can only claim the AOTC for four years. 
  • The Lifetime Learning Credit allows you to claim a credit for higher education expenses beyond the first four years. 
  • If you pay for daycare or other forms of care for a dependent, look into the Child and Dependent Care Credit.

What Is A Tax Deduction?

Tax deductions lower your taxable income which reduces your tax liability. This is the amount of the deduction multiplied by your marginal tax rate. 

For example, a married couple (filing jointly) that earns $120,000 combined has a marginal tax rate of 22%. If this couple contributes $10,000 to a 401(k), they will have a $10,000 tax deduction. Given their marginal tax rate, they will reduce their tax liability by 22% of $10,000 or $2,200. 

Some of the most important tax deductions include: 

  • Business expenses associated with your side hustle.
  • Pre-tax contributions to retirement accounts, such as 401(k) or IRA contributions.
  • Itemized deductions such as to property taxes, charitable contributions, and medical expenses.

What Is Better: A Tax Credit Or A Tax Deduction?

Tax credits reduce your tax liability by the dollar, based on the credit amount you receive while tax deductions only cut your taxable income. 

Consider a single person who earns $50,000 and spends $2,500 on higher education expenses and contributes $2,500 to their 401(k).

Here is how it breaks down:

  • This taxpayer is eligible for the American Opportunity Tax Credit, which cuts her tax bill by $2,500. 
  • She is also eligible for a $2,500 tax deduction because of their 401(k) contributions. 
  • Given her 22% marginal tax rate, the $2,500 contribution to the 401(k) only cuts her tax bill by $550.

Tax credits are more powerful than tax deductions but you rarely have to choose between the two. Take advantage of as many credits and deductions you qualify for to keep your tax liability low.

Do I Need To Know Whether To Claim A Tax Credit Or A Deduction?

Unless you’re filing your taxes by hand, you don’t need to know which credits or deductions to claim. 

The best tax software (including free tax software) can optimize your tax return, so you get the maximum refund based on your situation. 

Your eligibility for credits and deductions often depends on multiple factors including your income and other credits or deductions you claim. 

The software can optimize these factors on your behalf. 

The Best Tax Software to Help With
Tax Deductions & Tax Credits

We regularly review the best tax software that is priced for any budget, user friendly, and even comes with an option for a tax professional to help you when you get stuck.


Here’s our top recommendations.

Robert Farrington
Robert Farrington

Robert Farrington is America’s Millennial Money Expert® and America’s Student Loan Debt Expert™, and the founder of The College Investor, a personal finance site dedicated to helping millennials escape student loan debt to start investing and building wealth for the future. You can learn more about him on the About Page, or on his personal site RobertFarrington.com.

He regularly writes about investing, student loan debt, and general personal finance topics geared towards anyone wanting to earn more, get out of debt, and start building wealth for the future.

He has been quoted in major publications including the New York Times, Washington Post, Fox, ABC, NBC, and more. He is also a regular contributor to Forbes.

Tax Credit vs. Tax Deduction: Which Is Better To Help You Save?

Editor: Claire Tak

Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, or other advertiser and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Comment Policy: We invite readers to respond with questions or comments. Comments may be held for moderation and are subject to approval. Comments are solely the opinions of their authors'. The responses in the comments below are not provided or commissioned by any advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any company. It is not anyone's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

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