Can I take the standard deduction for federal and itemize New York state for 2018?

Forum|Forum|7 years ago
June 7, 2019
20 replies
1 view

In 2018, itemizing deductions for state and local taxes (SALT) will be limited to $10,000. Actual SALT expenses for many downstate NY homeowners is much higher than $10,000. So, it's better to claim the Federal Standard Deduction of $12,000 (or $13,300 for seniors age 65 or more); and ideally itemize deductions on my NYS tax return.

Best answer by rjs

Yes, for 2018 you will be able to itemize deductions on your New York tax return, even if you take the standard deduction on your federal return. This is covered in the 2018 instructions for Form IT-201, which are now available on the New York tax web site.

pinkytree

Level 2

On Turbo tax- Can I itemize for NYS if I used standard deduction for federal? It automatically used standard deduction for my state calculation.

amarti2

Level 2

i am trying to do the same thing and there is no option on Turbo Tax to choose itemize for NYS since I am using the Federal Standard deduction. Help!

rjs

Level 15

@amarti2 - Read my long comment under the answer below. It tells you how to itemize for New York.

me7782

Level 2

I don't see this information. How do you itemized NY and not the federal?

jessicagross86

Level 2

@rjs I read the long comment. While it makes sense, it doesn't help the situation. TurboTax just makes the itemized vs. standard NY deduction decision for me without showing me any numbers to ensure that's what I want to do (according to your comment). Showing me this difference is very important to me because my hand-calculation of the itemized deductions indicate that ITS MORE than the standard NY deduction. So I want to be shown the numbers to either figure out if my hand-calculating is wrong or I should override the TurboTax decision (even though overriding doesn't seem possible). How can I see the NY itemized deduction numbers TurboTax used? Is it just not available functionality in TurboTax?

rjs

Level 15

@me7782 Read the long comment below, at the following link.

<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/7132217">https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/7132217</a>

rjs

Level 15

@jessicagross86 The New York itemized deductions are calculated on Form IT-196. You didn't say whether you are using the CD/Download TurboTax software or TurboTax Online. In the CD/Download TurboTax software you can look at Form IT-196 in forms mode even if it's not included in your tax return because the total is less than your New York standard deduction. It will show you how TurboTax calculated the New York itemized deductions. In TurboTax Online there is no way to see a form that is not included in your tax return, so you cannot see Form IT-196 if your New York return is using the standard deduction.

mstrieb

Level 2

This is not correct. You cannot see NY Form IT-196 on the downloaded TurboTax software. Had I been able to, I would have been able to see the calculations and which made more sense, standard or itemized deduction. But you can't see it. I spent two hours on the phone with TurboTax help over the weekend, and they were surprised you couldn't see IT-196 as well. It's just not there.

rjs

Level 15

@mstrieb If your NY return is using the standard deduction, Form IT-196 will not be in the list of forms on the left side in forms mode because it is not part of your tax return. But you can open the form and see the itemized deductions. First make sure your downloaded software is updated. In forms mode, click the Open Form icon at the top left. In the search box at the top of the Open Form window type IT-196. The form will then be listed in the large box. Click on it to select it, then click the Open Form button at the bottom of the window.

mstrieb

Level 2

@rjs Yes, it is there. Thank you. So this is how you can see that TurboTax is making the correct decision about standardized vs. itemized deduction. But remember it is only available on the CD/download software, not online. I only wish the two TurboTax consultants I had on the phone the other day knew how to find it. Thank you!!