Mary Thompson is a working professional with an annual income of $60,000. As tax season approaches, she is determined to optimize her tax situation and minimize her overall tax liability. In her quest for tax efficiency, Mary comes across two significant concepts: tax credits and tax deductions.

Tax Deductions:

Mary learns that tax deductions are expenses that she can subtract from her taxable income. For instance, if Mary has $5,000 in eligible deductions and her taxable income is $60,000, her taxable income for tax purposes becomes $55,000 ($60,000 - $5,000). Common deductions include mortgage interest, student loan interest, and medical expenses.

Tax Credits:

On the other hand, Mary discovers that tax credits are direct reductions in the amount of taxes she owes. If she qualifies for a $1,000 tax credit, her tax liability is reduced by $1,000. Unlike deductions, which only lower taxable income, tax credits have a more direct impact on the final tax bill.

Case Study Scenario:

Mary, being thorough, identifies that she qualifies for both the Child Tax Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit. The Child Tax Credit is worth up to $2,000 per qualifying child, while the Lifetime Learning Credit can provide up to $2,000 per tax return for qualified education expenses.

Mary has one child, making her eligible for the Child Tax Credit. Additionally, she is pursuing a part-time master's degree, making her eligible for the Lifetime Learning Credit.

Calculations:

Mary's tax liability before any credits or deductions is calculated based on her $60,000 income. With the applicable deductions, her taxable income is reduced to $55,000. Now, the tax credits come into play:

Child Tax Credit: $2,000

Lifetime Learning Credit: $2,000

Her total tax credits amount to $4,000.

Mary's final tax liability is determined by subtracting the total tax credits from her reduced taxable income:

$55,000 (taxable income) - $4,000 (tax credits) = $51,000.

Therefore, Mary's final tax liability is based on $51,000 of taxable income, which is significantly lower than her original income.

Objective Question:

What is the primary difference between tax credits and tax deductions, and how do they impact Mary's overall tax liability in the case study?