I have not filed my 2025 federal taxes yet… I would like to see if I would have a better return if I put in how much interest I paid on my mortgage

[maryjanewhite44]

So how do I amend my tax return… do I have to start all over?

[xmasbaby0]

If you have not e-filed do not even think about clicking the word "amend."   You do not use the amend process to make changes to a return that has not ever been filed.   If you want to try itemizing deductions and enter property tax, mortgage interest etc. you can do that.   You might need to click Add a state ---you do not have to add a state return but that trick will let you back in to the federal return to add or make changes.

Go to Federal> Deductions and Credits> Your Home to enter mortgage interest, property taxes, and mortgage insurance that you paid in 2025   You should have a 1098 from your mortgage lender that shows this information.  Lenders send these in January/early February or you may be able to import the 1098 from the lender’s website.

Your itemized deductions have to be more than your standard deduction before you will see a change in your tax owed or tax refund.  The deductions you enter do not necessarily count “dollar for dollar;” many of them are subject to meeting  tough thresholds—medical expenses, for example, must meet a threshold that is pretty hard to reach.  The software program uses all the IRS rules that apply to the expenses you enter, and it tells you if you have enough to use your itemized deductions or if using the standard deduction is more advantageous for you

. 

2025 STANDARD DEDUCTION AMOUNTS

SINGLE $15,750  (65 or older/legally blind + $2000)

MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY $15,750  (65 or older/legally blind +1600)

MARRIED FILING JOINTLY $31,500  (65 or older/legally blind + $1600)

HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD $23,625 (65 or older/legally blind + $2000)

[TomK2023]

No, you do not to start your tax return over (nor amend it) in order to add your mortgage interest  Based on the information that you provide, the program will choose the deduction that will provide you with the best outcome on your federal taxes.

Enter your 1098 [form (Mortgage interest):

1. Open or continue your return.
2. Go to the 1098 screen under Deductions & Credits.  (or you can search for 1098" or mortgage interest" in the Search box, and then Click on "jump to...." link).
3. Answer Yes to Did you pay any home loans in 2025?
4. On the Let's get your 1098 form screen, enter the name of your lender to see if you can import your 1098.
5. If you can't or don't want to import, select Change how I enter my form to upload, take a picture of, or manually enter your 1098.
6. Continue through the screens until your 1098 is added.

TurboTax FAQ: Where do I enter my 1098 mortgage interest statement?

To Switch between Standard and Itemized Deduction:

1. Open or continue your return.
2. Go to the screen: Based on what you told us, [either Standard Deduction or Itemizing deductions] is ...
3. On the Which deduction do you want to take this year? popup, you'll see the dollar value of each ded...
4. Select the type of deduction you want and select Continue twice.

TurboTax FAQ: How do I change from the standard deduction to itemized (or vice-versa)?