I started working when I was 18 years old at Jack In the Box and later started college and also went into Customer Service and Data Entry. After college, I started working in the hospital as well as doing little mini work at home jobs. 

I was always finding ways on how to make money, earn more, or how to save. 

Taxes was especially one of them. 

As a married woman with a growing family, I learned there's so much that's tax deductible and the more I learned, the more I would bring it up to our family's accountant. 

So far, I've been able to claim most of the deductions and benefits from having kids, a business, and working in a hospital.

Let me share to you what I know and how we do it.
http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc500.html

1) Work NECESSITIES are deductible.

Now don't get confused between necessities and "wants." If you really need the item in order to function at work, then the item you are trying to claim is deductible.
And, NO, coffee is not one of them - and ladies, make-up is also NOT tax deductible.

However, pens and papers, gas (if you travel), and certain meals paid during business meetings are deductible.


2) Medical Expenses

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/tax-tips/Tax-Deductions-and-Credits/-Can-I-Claim-Medical-Expenses-on-My-Taxes-/INF14196.html

http://blog.turbotax.intuit.com/2011/03/07/sick-can-i-deduct-that-deductible-medical-expenses/



3) Earned Income Tax Credit

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/tax-tips/Tax-Deductions-and-Credits/The-10-Most-Overlooked-Tax-Deductions/INF12062.html


http://www.intuitempowers.com/eitcfinder/

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/tax-tips/Family/7-Requirements-for-the-Child-Tax-Credit/INF15610.html