Why are my federal deductions considerably lower in 2018 than they were in 2017?

[lucyday27]

I am retired and my total income is virtually the same from the same sources.

[CarolynM · Accepted solution]

Unfortunately, without access to your tax return, I cannot say for certain, but there have been significant changes impacting federal itemized deductions.

First, there is now a limit on the deduction for state and local taxes paid. No matter how much you have paid in state, local and property taxes, they deduction is not greater than $10,000. 

Second, many miscellaneous deductions were eliminated. As a retired person, you are not impacted by the loss of the job expense deduction, but you may be impacted by the lack of deduction for investment fees and other professional expenses. 

Finally, the personal exemption was eliminated.

For more information about the changes, follow this link: TurboTax on New Tax Laws

[lucyday27]

Thank you.  I suspected it was the personal exemption elimination since everything else is much the same and we are not impacted by the other changes you mentioned.