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Mortgage Interest is an itemized deduction reported on a Schedule A Line 8a and 8b.
The total of All itemized deductions must be greater than the Standard Deduction for your filing status to have any tax benefit. If the total of all itemized deduction is not greater than the Standard Deduction then Schedule A will not be included with the tax return. The greater of either the Standard Deduction or Itemized Deductions is entered on Form 1040 Line 8.
Standard deductions for 2018
When you sign onto your online account and land on the Tax Home web page, scroll down and click on Add a state.
This will take you back to the 2018 online tax return.
Click on Tax Tools on the left side of the online program screen. Then click on Print Center. Then click on Print, save or preview this year's return. Choose the option Include government and TurboTax worksheets
It is possible that your mortgage interest did not affect your tax refund or tax due. Look on line 8 of your Form 1040. Did you get the standard deduction or did you have enough itemized deductions to have a schedule A?
If the standard deduction was better for you then that is what the software would have used.
Many taxpayers are surprised this year because their itemized deductions are not having the same effect as they did on past tax returns. The new higher standard deduction and the elimination of certain deductions, as well as the cap on state and local taxes have had a major impact.
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. Under the new tax laws, some deductions have been capped—there is a $10,000 limit to the itemized deductions for state, local, property and sales taxes.
Your standard deduction lowers your taxable income. It is not a refund
2018 Standard Deductions:
Single $12,000 (+ $1600 65 or older)
Married Filing Separately $12,000 (+ $1300 65 or older)
Married Filing Jointly $24,000 (+ $1300 each spouse 65 or older)
Head of Household $18,000 (+ $1600 65 or older)
Look at line 8 of your Form 1040 to see your standard or itemized deductions.
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