How to pay less taxes

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This is just an fyi.  No one expects you to go start a business at age 21.  But, for your future reference, the easiest way to pay less taxes is to own your own business.

100% legal write-offs abound if you have a small business (or work free-lance).  As a business owner, you can, within reason, make the rules on what is a business expense (qualifying expenses from restaurants, sporting events, car leases, office supplies…). Don't quit a good job - I'm just giving you data. Btw, this only works if your business is actually profitable.

Don’t own a business? Well then a great way to slide your money right on past the tax man is to fund your IRA. Especially if you work for a large company that has matching (like they’ll match up to 3% of your salary per year - usu. 3 yr vesting period). You are crazy not to exercise this benefit if you have it.

And not to beat a dead horse, but the other totally free and totally legal way to evade taxes is buy a home - all that interest is tax deductible.