How is the standard deduction determined? My tax breaks equal more than the standard deduction amount, but TurboTax recommends taking standard deduction.

[VolvoGirl]

This year the Standard Deduction will be doubling so many people will be switching to the Standard Deduction.  And there is a max 10,000 limit (5,000 MFS) of property tax and state taxes "SALT".  And you can only deduct Medical that’s over 7.5% of your AGI.

FAQ on 2018 changes <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/4482394-how-will-tax-reform-affect-my-2018-federal-tax-return">htt...>

For 2018 the standard deduction amounts are:
Single 12,000 + 1,600 for 65 and over or blind
HOH 18,000 + 1,600 for 65 and over or blind
Joint 24,000+ 1,300 for each 65 and over or blind
Married filing Separate 12,000 + 1,300 for 65 and over or blind

[Texas Roger]

Tax breaks such as child tax credits, EIC, etc. of some type having nothing to do with the standard deduction. Is that what you mean by tax breaks?

[kkelley25]

Yes, my tax breaks include child tax credits, property taxes, work expenses, mortgage interest, donations, etc., comes to a higher total than the $24,000 standard deduction, yet the program only shows somewhere in the range of $13,000 in that area. I hope that makes sense.

[VolvoGirl]

Credits like the Child tax credit are not part of your Standard Deduction or Itemized Deductions.  You get Credits in addition to the Standard Deduction.

W2 job expenses and deductions are no longer deductible.  Deductions for job expenses have been suspended with the new tax act.  See Deductions that have been suspended for 2018
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/4482873-which-federal-tax-deductions-have-been-suspended-by-tax-re...

Property taxes and state income taxes like withholding are limited to 10,000.

[macuser_22 · Accepted solution]

For 2918 many taxpayers that itemized in the past will find that they can no longer itemize because the standard deduction has doubled so all of their itemized deduction s no longer exceed the standard deduction.

Only if all itemized deductions exceed the standard deduction will it be of benefit.

Not all itemized deductions count the full amount. Medical expenses are reduced by 7.5% of AGI so if your AGI is $30,000, for example, then only medical expenses more than $2,250 would be an itemized deduction.

The 2018 tax law also caps the total of Sales tax OR State and local income tax, Property (real estate and personal property) taxes at $10,000.

You can check the actual amount of itemized deductions by using the Search Topics for "itemized deductions, choosing" (under "My Account, Tools" in the online versions). Click on "Change my deduction". That will display the actual amount of itemized deductions vs. the standard deduction. (Be sure to uncheck "Change my deduction" after checking it so you do not lock in the wrong deduction.

2018 standard deductions

$12,000 Single
$18,000 Head of Household
$24,000 Married Jointly

Add an additional $1,300 for over age 65 or blind
This amount increases to $1,600 if the taxpayer is also unmarried.