Which One Is Better?
While a deduction can reduce the amount of taxable income, credits can directly reduce the amount of tax owed, so they offer a greater tax benefit. Sometimes, credits can be refundable, which means that they might generate a refund for you even when you don’t owe tax. Below are some examples of different types of credits and deductions available for individual taxpayers. Keep in mind that each credit and/or deduction has specific criteria that need to be met in order to qualify.