Must I allocate Interest paid and real estate taxes paid the same way? Also Cash charitable contributions?

[DanielV01]

Is this in regards to a Married Filing Separate return?  If so, what state are you in?

[mcmahot1]

Pennsylvania       Yes Married Filing Separate    Mortgage is paid by the husband

[mcmahot1]

Husband only on the account

[mcmahot1]

Thanks for the confirmation

[DanielV01 · Accepted solution]

It depends on who paid the expense.  You live in Pennsylvania, a separate property state, which means that you should allocate any deductions to the spouse who paid them and is responsible to pay them.  (Community property states have a different set of rules, but PA is not a community property state).  The allocation you use has to be consistent according to who paid the amounts and who is responsible to do so.  If both paid a portion, each can claim the portion that they paid.  This IRS website explains this in more detail:  Married Filing Separate splitting Itemized Deductions

If one spouse itemizes deductions, the other spouse must also itemize.