AnnetteB6
Employee Tax Expert

Deductions & credits

That could happen if your taxable income has already been reduced as low as possible (probably to zero) using the standard deduction.  If this is the case, then claiming the higher itemized deductions would only cause you to file a more complicated tax return.  

 

If the higher itemized deduction and your standard deduction are showing the same balance due on your return, then you are paying a tax other than income tax on your return, such as self-employment tax.  The self-employment tax is calculated based on business income and is not reduced by either the standard deduction or itemized deductions.

 

Take a look at your Form 1040 to understand this situation.  You will likely see that line 15 is zero for your taxable income.  Line 23 is self-employment tax or other taxes reported on Schedule 2.

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