topic Standard deduction vs Itemized, if I go standard I get a refund if I Itemize I owe, how can that be and if I choose standard is that fraud? in Deductions & credits

Standard deduction vs Itemized, if I go standard I get a refund if I Itemize I owe, how can that be and if I choose standard is that fraud?

adamschlaeger — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 09:59:14 GMT

Re: Standard deduction vs Itemized, if I go standard I get a refund if I Itemize I owe, how can that be and if I choose standard is that fraud?

Bsch4477 — Fri, 27 Jan 2023 20:52:53 GMT

Your itemized deductions must be less than your standard deduction. By all means take the standard deduction.

Re: Standard deduction vs Itemized, if I go standard I get a refund if I Itemize I owe, how can t...

LindaS5247 — Fri, 27 Jan 2023 21:01:18 GMT

Due to recent tax law changes, which raised the standard deduction and limited some deductions, most people will do better using the standard deduction rather than itemizing. As long as you entered your information properly, Turbo Tax will figure which deduction is best for you and it is fine.

Re: Standard deduction vs Itemized, if I go standard I get a refund if I Itemize I owe, how can t...

fanfare — Fri, 27 Jan 2023 23:41:44 GMT

if you file MFS, and one itemizes, the other must also itemize

even if you end up owing.

@adamschlaeger

Re: Standard deduction vs Itemized, if I go standard I get a refund if I Itemize I owe, how can that be and if I choose standard is that fraud?

leeloo — Sat, 28 Jan 2023 12:18:07 GMT

Double-check your entries and print out a copy of your return. Look it iver carefully to see if you can see why. Many times someone just doesn't have enough deductions to warrant itemizing.

Re: Standard deduction vs Itemized, if I go standard I get a refund if I Itemize I owe, how can t...

DMarkM1 — Sat, 28 Jan 2023 14:27:46 GMT

As already stated you should select the best option for you unless you are required to select one or the other based on a "Married Filing Separately" status. You can see a breakdown summary of your itemized deductions in online versions in the "Deductions and Credits" section.

Click "Deductions and Credits" in the left-hand menu
Continue through to arrive at the page where TurboTax has selected either "Itemized or Standard" for you.
Below the graph there is a dropdown link "Show me the estimated breakdown"
Click the link to see the itemized deductions breakdown from your entries