Are you making the common mistake of just adding up all the amounts for your itemized deductions without considering the caps and thresholds that must be met?
STANDARD DEDUCTION
Many taxpayers are surprised because their itemized deductions are not having the same effect as they did on past tax returns.
Your itemized deductions have to be more than your standard deduction before you will see a change in your tax owed or tax refund. The deductions you enter do not necessarily count “dollar for dollar;” many of them are subject to meeting tough thresholds—medical expenses, for example, must meet a threshold that is pretty hard to reach. (Only the amount that is MORE than 7.5% of your AGI counts) The software program uses all the IRS rules that apply to the expenses you enter, and it tells you if you have enough to use your itemized deductions or if using the standard deduction is more advantageous for you.
The standard deduction makes some of your income “tax free.” It is not a refund.
2025 STANDARD DEDUCTION AMOUNTS
SINGLE $15,750 (65 or older/legally blind + $2000)
MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY $15,750 (65 or older/legally blind +1600)
MARRIED FILING JOINTLY $31,500 (65 or older/legally blind + $1600)
HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD $23,625 (65 or older/legally blind + $2000)
**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**
