To deduct overtime do you still need to meet the $25,000 deduction?

[mmiller041773]

If I don't have the deduction amount to deduct do I need to put in my OT deductions?

[Opus 17]

Tax relief for overtime is separate from other itemized deductions.  If you have overtime that qualifies, you should enter it.

Note that all overtime is not eligible.  You must be a "non-exempt" employee covered by the fair labor standards act (FLSA).  If you are an "exempt" supervisory employee your overtime is not eligible.   If you are eligible, you can deduct the extra half-time pay for working over 40 hours in a week, not the entire overtime pay.  For example, if you work 40 hours at $20/hour and 5 hours of overtime at $30/hour, it is the 5 hours x $10 (the half-pay amount in time and a half) that is eligible for the deduction.   If you get paid more than time and a half, only the half time (the part that is mandatory under FLSA) is eligible.  And if you work only 40 hours but get paid extra because its a holiday or something, you aren't eligible because only overtime paid for working more than 40 hours is eligible.