Deductions & credits

Charitable donations are only entered on a federal tax return as an itemized deduction on Schedule A.  The Total of All itemized deductions reported on Schedule A Must be greater than the Standard Deduction for your filing status to have any tax benefit.

 

Standard deductions for 2019

  • Single - $12,200 add $1,650 if age 65 or older
  • Married Filing Separately - $12,200 add $1,300 if age 65 or older
  • Married Filing Jointly - $24,400 add $1,300 for each spouse age 65 or older
  • Head of Household - $18,350 add $1,650 if age 65 or older