--- title: "\"What is the difference between a tax credit and a tax deduction?\"" description: Explore the distinctions between tax credits and tax deductions and learn how each one can help you save on your taxes. Discover more about this topic from the expert legal team at Legal FAQs. image: https://www.legalfaq.ai/hubfs/LegalFAQ/tax-legal-faqs.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/what-is-the-difference-between-a-tax-credit-and-a-tax-deduction-1681745383578#main-content) [LegalFAQ.ai](https://www.legalfaq.ai/) - [Home](https://www.legalfaq.ai) - [Blog](https://www.legalfaq.ai/blog) - [FAQ Library](https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/all) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Home](https://www.legalfaq.ai) - [Blog](https://www.legalfaq.ai/blog) - [FAQ Library](https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/all) - [Ask a question](https://www.legalfaq.ai/ask) [Ask a question](https://www.legalfaq.ai/ask) [All posts](https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/all) April 17, 2023 # "What is the difference between a tax credit and a tax deduction?" ![Picture of Chris Battis](https://www.legalfaq.ai/hs-fs/hubfs/battis-mug.jpg?width=50&name=battis-mug.jpg) By  [Chris Battis](https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/author/chris-battis)  ·  1 minute read A tax credit and a tax deduction are two different ways to reduce the amount of taxes owed. A tax deduction is a reduction in taxable income, while a tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction in the amount of taxes owed. For example, if someone has a taxable income of $50,000 and takes a deduction of $10,000, they will only be taxed on $40,000. If someone has a $10,000 tax credit, they will reduce the amount of taxes owed by $10,000. There are two types of tax deductions: Standard and itemized. Standard deductions are fixed amounts based on filing status, while itemized deductions vary based on specific expenses, such as mortgage interest, charitable donations, or medical expenses. Tax credits, on the other hand, are usually based on specific qualifications, such as purchasing a home, installing energy-efficient appliances, or adopting a child. Some credits are refundable, meaning they can result in a refund even if the taxpayer owes no taxes. It is important to note that some deductions and credits have phase-outs or income limitations, meaning they may not be available if a taxpayer earns above a certain amount. In conclusion, while both tax deductions and tax credits can help reduce the amount of taxes owed, they work in different ways. Tax deductions reduce taxable income, while tax credits provide a direct reduction in taxes owed. Consultation with a licensed attorney or tax professional is recommended to determine which options are best depending on individual circumstances. Share: [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/what-is-the-difference-between-a-tax-credit-and-a-tax-deduction-1681745383578) [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/what-is-the-difference-between-a-tax-credit-and-a-tax-deduction-1681745383578) [twitter icon](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/what-is-the-difference-between-a-tax-credit-and-a-tax-deduction-1681745383578) [pinterest-p icon](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/link/?url=https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/what-is-the-difference-between-a-tax-credit-and-a-tax-deduction-1681745383578) [envelope icon](mailto:?body=https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/what-is-the-difference-between-a-tax-credit-and-a-tax-deduction-1681745383578) ## Related posts [![](https://www.legalfaq.ai/hubfs/LegalFAQ/tax-legal-faqs.jpg)](https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/whats-the-difference-between-a-tax-credit-and-a-tax-deduction) [Tax Law](https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/tag/tax-law) ### ["What's the difference between a tax credit and a tax deduction?"](https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/whats-the-difference-between-a-tax-credit-and-a-tax-deduction) [![](https://www.legalfaq.ai/hubfs/LegalFAQ/tax-legal-faqs.jpg)](https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/what-are-tax-deductions-i-can-claim-on-my-taxes) [Tax Law](https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/tag/tax-law) ### ["What are tax deductions I can claim on my taxes?"](https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/what-are-tax-deductions-i-can-claim-on-my-taxes) [![](https://www.legalfaq.ai/hubfs/LegalFAQ/tax-legal-faqs.jpg)](https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/how-does-the-irs-define-taxable-income) [Tax Law](https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/tag/tax-law) ### [How does the IRS define taxable income?](https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/how-does-the-irs-define-taxable-income) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Chris Battis", "url" : "https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/author/chris-battis" }, "datePublished" : "1970-01-01T00:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "\"What is the difference between a tax credit and a tax deduction?\"", "image" : [ "https://www.legalfaq.ai/hubfs/LegalFAQ/tax-legal-faqs.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/what-is-the-difference-between-a-tax-credit-and-a-tax-deduction-1681745383578", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject" }, "name" : "LegalFAQ.ai" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "Article", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : [ "Chris Battis" ], "url" : "https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/author/chris-battis" }, "datePublished" : "1970-01-01T00:00:00+0000", "description" : "Explore the distinctions between tax credits and tax deductions and learn how each one can help you save on your taxes. Discover more about this topic from the expert legal team at Legal FAQs.", "headline" : ""What is the difference between a tax credit and a tax deduction?"", "image" : "https://www.legalfaq.ai/hubfs/LegalFAQ/tax-legal-faqs.jpg", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "" }, "name" : "LegalFAQ.ai" }, "url" : "https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/what-is-the-difference-between-a-tax-credit-and-a-tax-deduction-1681745383578" } ```