Sir, It just so happens that I posted the opposite recommendation. My experience is different. I got the recommendation that I should use the Standard Deduction. Which I assumed was correct. When I played with it to itemize versus taking the Standard Deduction of $24,000 for my wife and me (filing jointly) my federal return did dropped from $1,200 to $900. However, my state return increased from $300 to $900. I picked up $300. I recommended that people play with it. It may be different depending on where you live.
