Husband filed MFS claimed our child, got standard deduction. Does he mean he didn’t itemized his return? I am stuck on that question on my return also filing MFS.

Forum|Forum|5 years ago
October 9, 2020
8 replies
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TurboTax Deluxe Online

Best answer by VolvoGirl

No, claiming dependents is not itemizing. Totally different things. Everyone gets to deduct either the Standard Deduction or all their Itemized Deductions whichever is more. So you can both take the Standard Deduction.

For 2019 the standard deduction amounts are:

Single 12,200 + 1,650 for 65 and over or blind (13,850)

HOH 18,350 + 1,650 for 65 and over or blind

Joint 24,400+ 1,300 for each 65 and over or blind

Married filing Separate 12,200 + 1,300 for 65 and over or blind

DoninGA

Level 15

If he used the Standard Deduction on his tax return then you cannot itemize deductions on your tax return.

mily4Author

Level 2

Thank you! I’m not itemizing. I just don’t know how to answer the one question I’m stuck on. It’s asking if he itemized. I am confused bc he claimed our child so is that considered itemizing? He said when he did his return it said he was getting the standard deduction.

VolvoGirlAnswer

Level 15

For 2019 the standard deduction amounts are:

Single 12,200 + 1,650 for 65 and over or blind (13,850)

HOH 18,350 + 1,650 for 65 and over or blind

Joint 24,400+ 1,300 for each 65 and over or blind

Married filing Separate 12,200 + 1,300 for 65 and over or blind

VolvoGirl

Level 15

Right. He did not itemize.

And may I ask why you are filing separate returns? Do you live together? Sometimes people don't realize the differences between filing Joint and MFS.

Unless you have a specific reason to file separate returns,

It is usually better to file Joint. Joint has the lowest tax rates and the highest Standard Deduction. And if you are in a Community Property state MFS gets tricky to figure out. Here's some things to consider about filing separately……

In the first place you each have to file a separate return, so that's two returns. And if you are using the Online version that means using 2 accounts and paying the fees twice.

Many people think they come out better when filing Married Filing Separate but they are probably doing it wrong. If one person itemizes deductions then the other one must itemize too, even if it's less than the standard deduction, even if it is ZERO!

And there are several credits you can't take when filing separately, like the

EITC Earned Income Tax Credit

Child Care Credit

Educational Deductions and Credits

And contributions to IRA and ROTH IRA are limited when you file MFS.

Also if you file Married Filing Separately up to 85`% of your Social Security becomes taxable right away even with zero other income.

See …….

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/married/help/is-it-better-for-a-married-couple-to-file-jointly-or-separately/00/25590