Entered mortgage interest and real estate taxes paid do not make a difference on my tax return.

[tomdeyoung]

these deductions used to be beneficial and increase my tax refund amount.  Now, they don't seem to make a difference.

[Lisa995]

Completely possible.  The new tax laws for 2018 doubled the standard deduction, many more people will find that itemized deductions no longer offer them any additional deductions from income.

[CherylW · Accepted solution]

It depends on your filing status.

If your total deductions aren't more than the amount listed below for your filing status, then you'll get the standard deduction (which'll be larger):

• $12,000     Single or Married Filing Separately
• $18,000     Head of Household
• $24,000     Married Filing Jointly or Qualifying Widow(er)
• $+1,800     Extra for blind or over 65