Deductions

[_MildHunt44]

How do I get my deductions to work in my favor?

[xmasbaby0]

Your itemized deductions only work if you have enough of them to exceed your standard deduction.  Otherwise, they have no effect at all, and you just get your standard deduction.

Are you making the common mistake of just adding up all the amounts for your itemized deductions without considering the caps and thresholds that must be met?

STANDARD DEDUCTION

Many taxpayers are surprised 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 since the new tax laws went into effect beginning with 2018 returns.

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. 

2019 Standard Deduction Amounts

Single $12,200   (+ $1650 65 or older)

Married Filing Separate  $12,200   (+ $1300 if 65 or older)

Married Filing Jointly $24,400   (+ $1300 for each spouse 65 or older)

Head of Household $18,350  (+ $1650 for 65 or older)

Look on line 9 of your 2019 Form 1040 to see your itemized/standard deduction amount

And...you appear to be posting from Home and Business.  Do not confuse your business expenses which go on a Schedule C with your itemized deductions that go on a Schedule A.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901530-how-does-the-itemized-deduction-differ-from-the-standard-d...

[Critter-3]

Another common error is to add up all the deductions and credits in the summary for deduction and credits... Only the deductions go on the schedule A and not the credits. Save a PDF of your completed return and review the entire return to see how the deductions and credits work.