Deductions & credits

A charitable donation is only entered as an itemized deduction on Schedule A.  You can enter the entire donation on Schedule A.  However -

 

The total of all your itemized deductions 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