OTTUMWA, IOWA -- Tuesday marked the first official day of summer. And the Internal Revenue Service wants to make it even better.

The department is reminding people that summertime activities can qualify them for tax benefits.

Make sure summer employers classify you correctly. They are often misclassified as independent contractors (self-employed) rather than as employees. This leads to the lack of withholding taxes from workers wages.

Workers and students may be exempt from tax withholding if they got a refund of all withheld income taxes for 2010 and the same for 2011. Cleaning out and donating items in good condition qualifies as a tax deduction.

IRS Media Relations Spokesman Christopher Millers says the two biggest ones during summer are day camps and storm damage.

"Unlike overnight camps, the cost of a summer day camp may turn out as an expense towards the child and dependent care credit. If you're a parent and you're sending your kids to a day camp this summer if they are under 13 years of age, make sure that you keep those records."

"Remember you may be able to deduct storm damage losses to reduce your taxes. If you're hit by a disaster you may be able to claim a casualty loss against property that is damaged. So remember to keep good records."

For a complete list of deductions, visit www.irs.gov.