"Well, you can write it off, can't you?"
You have to take the money out of your pocket before you can write it off. Writing it off doesn't put it back in the pocket.

"It's for the children ...."
They play that card 'cause everyone looks out for the kids.
Every time they want to increase our millage they tell us if we don't approve it they will need to quit busing kids to school.
They always get their money.