What did I take last year (2018)

[Tarbash]

I am trying to find out if I took the standard deduction or took the itemized deductions when I filed my 2018 taxes. My filing status was single. Where in my 2018 return do I need to look? According to the tax software it says: 

If you're not sure whether or not you itemized deductions last year, take a look at Form 1040, line 8 on your last year's tax return.

The standard deduction amounts are:
- $12,000 for Single or Married Filing Separately
- $24,000 for Married Filing Jointly or Qualifying Widow(er)
- $18,000 for Head of Household

If you have an amount on line 8 that is different than the standard deduction amount for your filing status, then select I itemized my deductions.

In my case, the amount directly in front of line 8 (all the way to the right) is more than $12,000. So I am thinking I itemized my deductions in 2018.  Is that correct?

[VolvoGirl]

How much more?  What is on line 8?  If you are over 65 you got an extra 1,600.  So it could be 13,600.

If you Itemized Deductions you would also have a Schedule A for them.

[Tarbash]

The amount on line 8 is $14464. I am not over 65. 

[VolvoGirl]

Well if you are looking at the right line then you must have Itemized.  You have to have a schedule A filled out and filed with your return.  You might need some info from it.  Are you entering a 1099G for a state refund?

[Tarbash]

I think I am looking at the right line. I don't have a very complicated situation when it comes to tax filings. Pretty straight forward. While I am no expert at this, its hard for me understand why I wouldn't have just taken the standard deductions and just run with it.

Now on my 2018 tax filings, I can see a section that says "Schedule A". See below:

Is that what you are referring to?

On the 1099-G question, I was entering the state tax return information from last year which got me started on this path. I think the section was trying to figure out if the state refund I got last year can be considered as income to be taxed. 

Thank you for taking the time to help me out. Appreciate it.

[VolvoGirl]

Yep, that's Schedule A all right.  You Itemized.

A State Tax Refund is taxable if you itemized deductions on that prior year's federal return and took a deduction for state income taxes instead of the sale tax.  You got a deduction benefit for it so now you have to include it as income. If you took the standard deduction it is not taxable and you don't need to report it.

[Tarbash]

I have no idea why I did it but this is probably because I just answer the questions Turbo Tax asks I guess. Now that I know for sure I itemized by deductions for 2018, I have a few questions:

1. Did I do something wrong that I need to correct by amending my 2018 and any previous years?
2. Do I just continue with filing my 2019 taxes and choosing the "I itemized by 2018 tax return" ?

I am leaning towards #2, since I don't think I have committed any fraud. After I hear from you on this, I have another set of questions on how to find some missing information when continuing down this (#2) path.

Thank you again.

[VolvoGirl]

#1.  Why do you think you would need to amend 2018?  If you took Itemized Deductions that's ok.  Unless you entered deductions you weren't supposed to deduct.

#2.  Yes continue 2019.  Are you stuck on something?

[Tarbash]

#1. I was just thinking if I did something wrong. I don't think I entered anything wrong.

#2. Yes. I am stuck trying to find the amounts for the highlighted boxes:

I am looking through my 2018 return but cannot find these two amounts. The only places that has line 45 and 46 mentioned looks like this:

As you can see, they don't mention anything about "Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) or Excessive advance premium tax credit repayment. I don't know where else to look for this information if this is not the right place.

Thanks.

[VolvoGirl]

That is your state return.  It wants the amounts from your federal 1040 return.  If you don't have amounts on those lines leave them blank.

[Tarbash]

In any sections of my federal tax return, I don't even see the numbers 45 or 46. So, as you suggested, I will leave them blank and continue.

Thank you