I am claiming itemized deduction on federal taxes. Can I claim standard deduction on NY state tax?

[SeanE1 · Accepted solution]

Yes, there is no law stating that if you itemize your deductions on your federal tax return you cannot take the standard deduction on your New York State tax return.  In fact Step 5 of the NYS instructions for IT-201 states that if you itemize on your federal, you should itemize on the NYS and then compare the itemized with the standard deduction and select the larger of the two for increased tax savings.  For more information regarding your 2016 IT-201, see the Link below:

https://www.tax.ny.gov/pdf/current_forms/it/it201i.pdf

[pratik7]

Thank you for your response. Is there a way I can do that with Turbo Tax Deluxe? As soon as I Itemize the federal section, it automatically imports it to state part as well. Please advise. Thank you again.

[SeanE1]

I am told that the Turbotax Deluxe program automatically selects the larger of itemized or standard deduction for the state.

[SeanE1]

The problem with overriding is you will not be able to efile and any attempt at efiling after overriding will be rejected by the IRS.

[pratik7]

So the way I can do this is efile my federal return and then mail in Forms for my NY state return? Will that work? Thanks again.

[SeanE1]

Yes, that will work.

[pratik7]

Thank you so much. Appreciate it.

[SeanE1]

You're welcome and good luck!