If you cannot itemize your tax return with itemized deductions (such as mortgage interest, property taxes, etc. that exceed your standard deduction, the charitable donation will not change anything for your tax due or refund at all. You will simply get your standard deduction--which reduces the amount of income you are taxed on.
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, job-related expenses, casualty and theft losses, for example, must meet thresholds that are pretty hard to reach. 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.
Your standard deduction lowers your taxable income. It is not a refund
2017 Standard Deductions
Single $6350 (65 or older + $1550)
Married Filing Separately $6350 (65 or older + $1250)
Married Filing Jointly $12,700 (65 or older + $1250@)
Head of Household $9350 (65 or older + $1550)
**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.**
