What does itemizing deductions mean?

[JohnR1 · Accepted solution]

Claiming itemized deductions on Form 1040 Schedule A is an alternative to claiming the standard deduction on your federal income tax return - if the total of your allowable itemized deductions exceeds your standard deduction, it is more beneficial for you to claim itemized deductions.

Itemized deductions include a range of expenses that are not otherwise deductible. Common expenses include the mortgage interest you pay on up to two homes, your state and local income or sales taxes, property taxes, medical and dental expenses that exceed 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income, and the charitable donations you make. Itemized deductions also include miscellaneous deductions such as work-related travel and union dues. Once you decide to itemize, you are eligible to claim all of them.

TurboTax has a useful guide discussing whether to claim the standard deduction or itemized deductions:

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/tax-tips/Tax-Deductions-and-Credits/Tax-Deduction-Wisdom---Sho...