Why did my total return not change even after I added over 5,000 in medical expenses?

[rogerxxx]

Over all I entered over 5,000.00 in health care expenses including 2400 dollars of expense over what the insurance paid and 2500.00 of Cobra ins. premiums. Now I admit that I did not fill all the boxes out totally because the instructions and explanations are in a language that only resembles english. Now the total credit said that anything over what 3200.00 would get me a tax credit where is it?

[Marketstar · Accepted solution]

The default setting on the refund meter is your Standard Deduction. Until the sum total of your itemized deductions (ie. medical, mortgage interest, property taxes, charitable giving, ct) exceed your Standard Deduction, you will not see a change on the refund meter.

2017 Standard Deductions

• Single - $6,300 add $1,550 if age 65 or older
• Married Filing Separately - $6,300 add $1,250 if age 65 or older
• Married Filing Jointly - $12,600 add $1,250 for each spouse age 65 or older
• Head of Household - $9,300 add $1,550 if age 65 or older