DanielV01
Expert Alumni

State tax filing

I looked at the Kansas statute.  In order to be able to itemize in Kansas, you must be claiming itemized deductions on the Federal return.  If you do, TurboTax will force the calculations on the Kansas side.  This may be an effective strategy if your Federal itemized deductions are very close to the standard deduction (which is $24,000 on the Federal return, and $1,300 more per person if either or both of you are over 65).  However, because of this requirement, if you are claiming the standard deduction on your Federal return, then these itemized deductions will not calculate on your Kansas return because you won't be allowed to claim them.

If you itemized on the Federal return, Kansas will give you 50% of the home mortgage interest you may claim, and 50% of the real estate taxes you may claim (not limited by SALT cap as it is with the Federal return).  You may also receive 50% of the deductible medical expenses also.  You will be able to claim 100% of your charitable deductions.  

That is for tax year 2018.  For 2019, the deduction percentage is increased to 75%, and in 2020 and beyond, 100%.  Again, though, you must be claiming itemized deductions on your Federal return to itemize on your Kansas return.  (As a reference, the standard deduction for married filing joint in Kansas is $7,000 before adjustments for being 65 or older or blind.  For each of these qualifiers, the deduction increases $700 per qualifier per person)

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