My standard deduction for married filing jointly is $29,200, but my total deductions were $31,700. Why the difference?
Note:
My Student Loan Interest Deduction was $2,500,
My Deductible charitable contributions was $5,680,
My Deductible state and local taxes was $3,203,
My Deductible mortgage interest was $4,407.
Also, we are both under 65 years of age.
Student loan interest is not an itemized deduction.
What you entered only comes to $13,290.
Note - only your total medical expenses that are greater than 7.5% of your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) can be deducted.
Where are you seeing $31,700?
And...you are confusing some things about itemized deductions. Student loan interest is not an itemized deduction for Schedule A. Student loan interest lowers the amount of income you are taxed on. The other itemized deductions you mention are not enough to exceed your standard deduction.