Can I just skip adding up my expenses and go directly to taking the standard deduction?

[stuck2007]

Can I skip the trouble of having to add up my expenses for itemizing and go directly to standard deduction?

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

You are posting from Self-Employed.   Do not confuse your business expenses that MUST be entered on your Schedule C with itemized deductions that go on a Schedule A.   You have to enter your business expenses on your Schedule C----the standard deduction has nothing to do with your schedule C.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901340-where-do-i-enter-schedule-c

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/3398950-what-self-employed-expenses-can-i-deduct

The standard deduction or itemized deductions on Schedule A are for such things as mortgage interest, property tax, private mortgage insurance, charity donations, medical expenses, sales tax, etc. etc.

Explain Standard Deduction—What is it?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/credits-and-deductions/help/what-s-my-standard-deduction/00/26370

If you want to skip entering your itemized deductions you can do that.  Many people will not have enough itemized deductions this year to itemize, and will just be getting their new higher standard deduction.  The thing is, though, that some of those deductions could make a difference on a state return even if they do not affect your federal return.  Information flows from your federal return to your state return, so it might not be a bad idea to go ahead and enter them anyhow.  It cannot hurt you.

The following states allow you to itemize deductions on just the state return: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, and Wisconsin, 

[stuck2007]

Hi Xmasbaby:  It hits the nail on the head for me! Thank you so much for the clarification. James

[SweetieJean]

As for the Schedule A deductions, you might want to enter them anyway so that they transfer to State, where they might benefit you.