Should I take the standard deduction? Or should I itemize deductions?

The IRS allows almost all tax filers a standard tax deduction amount that lowers their taxable income. This figure changes each year as adjusted for inflation; and the figure varies for different filers in different situations.

When filing their federal income tax return, taxpayers can choose to either take this standard deduction, or they can itemize their deductions. Whether to itemize deductions on your tax return depends on how much you spent for certain items such as the following:

• Medical & Dental
• State Income Taxes
• Real Estate Taxes
• Personal Property Taxes (vehicle registration license fee, etc.)
• Home Mortgage Interest
• Mortgage Insurance Premiums
• Charitable Contributions (cash and non-cash)
• Unreimbursed Employee Expenses

The above list is not exhaustive as there are some additional expenses that fall under the category of itemized deductions.

If the total amount spent on these “itemized” expenses is more than your standard deduction, you can usually benefit by itemizing.

Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have regarding the standard deduction vs. itemized deductions...we’re here to help!