Standard deduction vs Itemized deduction

[becker65]

How come I am using the standard deduction when I have paid interest on a mortgage? 

[DoninGA]

Was the mortgage interest paid greater than the standard deduction for your filing status?  If not, then the Standard Deduction will be used and not the Itemized Deduction.

Standard deductions for 2019

• Single - $12,200 add $1,650 if age 65 or older
• Married Filing Separately - $12,200 add $1,300 if age 65 or older
• Married Filing Jointly - $24,400 add $1,300 for each spouse age 65 or older
• Head of Household - $18,350 add $1,650 if age 65 or older

[akirsch]

If you have greater deductions than the standard deduction it makes sense to itemize.  If you are married filing jointly you would need $24,400 in itemized deductions (That would be a lot of paid interest) to make it a better choice.

[rxrxing]

How do you declare a standard deduction when you have been filing jointly and itemizing before on turbo tax

[DMarkM1]

Whether filing joint or separate if you don't have enough deductions to exceed the standard deduction or don't want to itemize, then on the "Deductions & Credits" page click "Wrap up Tax Breaks" at the bottom of your page.  You will come to a page that compares your standard deduction to your itemized deductions and you can choose which you want to use.