I was just informed that the $10,000 deduction limit was changed to $12,000. What is the situation?

[xmasbaby0]

What?  What deduction are you referring to?

[Lisa995]

You're confusing 2 different things.  
Standard deduction for Single is 12k   
If you itemize, then the limit of deductible state and local taxes is 10K.

[xmasbaby0]

Are you confusing the $10,000 limit for state and local taxes with the new standard deduction of $12,000 for a single filer?

[Hal_Al · Accepted solution]

In past years, every taxpayer got a standard deduction of about $6000 plus a personal exemption of about $4000, for a $10,000 total "deduction".

For 2018, the personal exemption has been eliminated and the standard deduction has been increased to $12,000.

Some people come out better, with this new arrangement, some don't.

[The-Johnsons]

We are filing Married filing jointly and the cap is 10K.  If I file as married filing separately, would that increase to 12K?  If the standard deduction is 12K why am I getting a 10K message.  Thank you.  

[Hal_Al]

Two different things. The $10,000 cap refers to the itemized deduction for state and local taxes (income, property and sales taxes), known as SALT.
The standard deduction for Married Filing Separately (MFS) is $12,000 each (half of the $24,000 for married filing jointly-MFJ).
The $10K SALT deduction is just one piece of total itemized deductions (you can add charity and medical to that).

But here's the kicker: if you file MFS and one of you itemizes deductions, the other must also itemize. She cannot use the $12K standard deduction, if you itemize. So, if you're trying to beat the system by filing separately, it won't work.