Write off not included

[brandonhaley9812]

A total of $1,170 was taken out of my paychecks in 2016. After my business expenses/write offs (Over $1,000), my total return is only $200. Why aren't my expenses being written off?

[Anita01 · Accepted solution]

Such expenses are one part of itemized deductions.  They are subject to a subtraction of 2% of your adjusted gross income and only the amount over that is deductible.  

The problem, though, is that they are only one small part fo itemized deductions.  You don't get to claim itemized deductions until the total of all your itemized deductions is larger than your standard deduction.  for a single person the standard deduction is $6,300, for Head of Household, $9,300 and married joint, $12,600.  So, until your itemized deductions exceeds those amounts, you take the standard deduction because it's higher and benefits you more.