1098 mortgage question

[melloyello8787]

My spouse and I file MFS to help reduce student loan monthly payments. Since we both have to take the same deduction type (Standard or Itemized) if taking the standard deduction would I need to enter in the 4 1098's I received? For reference the loan on our old house was sold to a new lender, then we sold that house, and bought a new one which also changed hands.  If I'm reading the tax publications correctly, I shouldn't need to actually input any of that data into TT because I'm not itemizing.  Is that correct?

[Mike9241]

maybe.   if you have no state return that's correct. some states don't require the same method that's used for federal.  itemizing may produce a lower tax.  it you tell us which state, if you have a state income tax, we can advise you further.

[melloyello8787]

My state is Utah and if I recall correctly they do require the same filing status as federal. I try to run multiple tax scenarios because it's turbo tax and it lets me do so. By itemizing on mine, my deductions are over 15K but my spouse is just barely over 3k. When we both take the standard deduction it generates lower tax for me, higher for her and combined higher refunds. 

[Vanessa A]

Yes, in Utah, you must use the same filing status for the state as you do for your federal return. 

[melloyello8787]

OK, thanks. How about the 1098's if taking the standard deduction? Do I need to enter the mortgage interest anywhere since I'm not itemizing and filing form Schedule A? 

[Opus 17]

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@melloyello8787 wrote:

OK, thanks. How about the 1098's if taking the standard deduction? Do I need to enter the mortgage interest anywhere since I'm not itemizing and filing form Schedule A? 

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If you are decided to take the standard deduction, you don't need to enter any of the specific items.  Turbotax asks because it wants to calculate the best refund for you, but if you have done your own calculations and decided otherwise, you don't have to enter anything.