Incorrrect Deduction amount

[TaxedMan1]

2024 Premier Edition shows a standard deduction of $30750 on the 1040 rather than the correct deduction of $29200.  It does, however, show $29200 on the worksheet.  Also, after I enter my itemized deductions, which are greater than the standard deduction, it does not use the itemized deduction amount or adjust the tax owed.

[DoninGA · Accepted solution]

The Standard Deduction would be $30,750 if you or your spouse were age 65 or older.

Standard deductions for 2024

Single - $14,600 add $1,850 if age 65 or older
Married Filing Separately - $14,600 add $1,550 if age 65 or older
Married Filing Jointly - $29,200 add $1,550 for each spouse age 65 or older
Head of Household - $21,900 add $1,950 if age 65 or older

What is the total amount of itemized deductions as shown on the Schedule A Line 17?

[xmasbaby0]

Is one of you either 65 or older or legally blind?   If so, another $1550 is added to the $29,200 standard deduction.

The standard deduction makes some of your income “tax free.”  It is not a refund.  You will see your standard or itemized deduction amount on line 12 of your 2024 Form 1040.

2024 STANDARD DEDUCTION AMOUNTS

SINGLE $14,600    (65 or older/legally blind + $1950)

MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY            $14,600    (65 or older/legally blind + $1550)

MARRIED FILING JOINTLY $29,200    (65 or older/legally blind + $1550)

HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD $21,900    (65 or older/legally blind + $1950)

Are you making the common mistake of just adding up all the amounts for your itemized deductions without considering the caps and thresholds that must be met?

STANDARD DEDUCTION

Many taxpayers are surprised because their itemized deductions are not having the same effect as they did on past tax returns.  The new higher standard deduction and the elimination of certain deductions, as well as the cap on state and local taxes have had a major impact since the new tax laws went into effect beginning with 2018 returns.

Your itemized deductions have to be more than your standard deduction before you will see a change in your tax owed or tax refund.  The deductions you enter do not necessarily count “dollar for dollar;” many of them are subject to meeting  tough thresholds—medical expenses, for example, must meet a threshold that is pretty hard to reach. (Only the amount that is MORE than 7.5% of your AGI counts)   The software program uses all the IRS rules that apply to the expenses you enter, and it tells you if you have enough to use your itemized deductions or if using the standard deduction is more advantageous for you.  Under the tax laws that have been in effect since 2018, some deductions have been capped—there is a $10,000 limit to the itemized deductions for state, local, property and sales taxes.

[TaxedMan1]

Thank you!!!  That makes sense now.