An exemption is a direct reduction of the amount of tax owed by a tax payer to the government. An exemption may be taken from taxable income only when it is a predetermined amount as defined under the United States tax code. Exemptions only occur for very specific reasons. They also change from year to year in the types allowed as well as the amount of the exemption. For example, a parent may claim an exemption for their child, which means that a specific dollar amount determined by the tax laws is deductible from the amount of tax owed to the government. Exemptions are available for most tax payers but the types and amounts are specific on a per year basis.