Legal Definitions - below-the-line

Definition: Below-the-line refers to deductions that are taken after calculating adjusted gross income and before calculating taxable income. These deductions are subtracted from your income to reduce the amount of taxes you owe.

Examples: Some examples of below-the-line deductions include medical expenses, local taxes, and charitable contributions. For instance, if you paid $5,000 in medical bills during the year and your adjusted gross income is $50,000, you can deduct the $5,000 from your income to arrive at your taxable income of $45,000. This means you will owe less in taxes.

Explanation: Below-the-line deductions are subtracted from your income after you have calculated your adjusted gross income. This means that they are taken into account after you have already deducted certain expenses such as retirement contributions and health insurance premiums. These deductions can help reduce your taxable income and lower the amount of taxes you owe to the government.