Which is better for your taxes? Standard deduction or itemized deduction?

[UNITED STATES] When it comes to filing your taxes, one of the most important decisions you'll make is whether to take the standard deduction or itemize your deductions. This choice can have a significant impact on your tax liability and potential refund. Let's explore the pros and cons of each option to help you determine which approach is best for your unique financial situation.

Before diving into the specifics of standard vs. itemized deductions, it's important to understand what tax deductions are and how they work. Tax deductions reduce your taxable income, which in turn lowers the amount of tax you owe. The more deductions you can claim, the less taxable income you'll have.

As Mark Steber, Chief Tax Information Officer at Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, explains:

"Tax deductions are a dollar-for-dollar reduction of your taxable income. The more deductions you have, the lower your taxable income will be, which means you'll pay less in taxes."

What is the Standard Deduction?

The standard deduction is a fixed dollar amount that reduces your taxable income. It's a no-questions-asked reduction to your income that requires no documentation or receipts. The amount of the standard deduction depends on your filing status and is adjusted annually for inflation.

For the 2023 tax year (for taxes filed in 2024), the standard deduction amounts are:

• $13,850 for single filers and married individuals filing separately
• $27,700 for married couples filing jointly
• $20,800 for heads of household

These amounts increase slightly for the 2024 tax year:

• $14,600 for single filers and married individuals filing separately
• $29,200 for married couples filing jointly
• $21,900 for heads of household

The standard deduction offers simplicity and convenience. You don't need to keep track of expenses throughout the year or gather receipts at tax time. For many taxpayers, especially those with relatively straightforward financial situations, the standard deduction provides an easy way to reduce taxable income.

What are Itemized Deductions?

Itemized deductions allow you to deduct specific qualifying expenses from your taxable income. Common itemized deductions include:

• Mortgage interest
• State and local taxes (SALT), up to $10,000
• Charitable contributions
• Medical expenses exceeding 7.5% of your adjusted gross income
• Unreimbursed job expenses for certain professions

Itemizing requires more effort, as you'll need to keep careful records of your expenses throughout the year and complete Schedule A of Form 1040 when filing your taxes. However, if your total itemized deductions exceed the standard deduction amount, itemizing could result in greater tax savings.

Pros and Cons of the Standard Deduction

Pros:

Simplicity and convenience

No need to keep detailed records or receipts

Guaranteed deduction amount regardless of actual expenses

May be beneficial for those with few deductible expenses

Cons:

May result in a higher tax liability if your itemized deductions would exceed the standard amount

Doesn't allow you to deduct specific expenses that might be significant for your financial situation

Pros and Cons of Itemized Deductions

Pros:

Potential for greater tax savings if your deductible expenses exceed the standard deduction

Ability to deduct specific expenses that are important to your financial situation

May be particularly beneficial for homeowners, those with high medical expenses, or generous charitable donors

Cons:

Requires detailed record-keeping and documentation

More complex tax filing process

May not be worth the effort if your itemized deductions only slightly exceed the standard deduction

Factors to Consider When Choosing Between Standard and Itemized Deductions

Homeownership: If you own a home, your mortgage interest and property taxes may push your itemized deductions above the standard deduction threshold.

State and local taxes: The deduction for state and local taxes (including income, sales, and property taxes) is capped at $10,000. If you live in a high-tax state, this could be a significant factor.

Charitable contributions: If you make substantial charitable donations, itemizing may allow you to deduct these contributions.

Medical expenses: If you had significant out-of-pocket medical expenses exceeding 7.5% of your adjusted gross income, itemizing could be beneficial.

Changes in personal circumstances: Major life events like getting married, buying a home, or experiencing a significant medical event can impact whether itemizing is more advantageous.

How to Determine Which Option is Better for You

To decide whether to take the standard deduction or itemize, follow these steps:

Calculate your potential itemized deductions by adding up all qualifying expenses.

Compare this total to the standard deduction amount for your filing status.

Choose the option that results in the larger deduction.

Remember, you're allowed to choose whichever method results in the lower tax liability. As Lisa Greene-Lewis, CPA and tax expert at TurboTax, advises:

"You should always prepare your taxes both ways – taking the standard deduction and itemizing your deductions – to see which gives you the bigger tax benefit."

The Impact of Recent Tax Law Changes

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 significantly increased the standard deduction amounts while eliminating or limiting several itemized deductions. This change has led to fewer taxpayers itemizing their deductions.

According to the Tax Foundation, the percentage of taxpayers who itemize dropped from about 31% in 2017 to just over 11% in 2019. However, this doesn't mean itemizing is no longer beneficial for everyone. High-income earners, homeowners in areas with high property taxes, and those with substantial charitable contributions may still find itemizing more advantageous.

Special Considerations for 2023 and Beyond

As you consider whether to take the standard deduction or itemize for the 2023 tax year and beyond, keep these points in mind:

Inflation adjustments: The standard deduction amounts are adjusted annually for inflation, so be sure to check the most current figures.

State tax implications: Some states require you to use the same method (standard or itemized) on your state return as you do on your federal return. Consider the impact on both your federal and state taxes when making your decision.

Future tax planning: If you're close to the threshold where itemizing becomes beneficial, consider strategies like bunching deductions (grouping deductible expenses into a single tax year) to maximize your tax savings over time.

Charitable giving strategies: If charitable donations are a significant part of your potential itemized deductions, explore options like donor-advised funds or qualified charitable distributions from IRAs to optimize your tax situation.

Deciding between the standard deduction and itemized deductions is a crucial step in optimizing your tax situation. While the increased standard deduction has made itemizing less common, it's still important to carefully evaluate your options each tax year.

For many taxpayers, the simplicity and convenience of the standard deduction will be the best choice. However, if you have significant deductible expenses – particularly related to homeownership, state and local taxes, charitable giving, or medical costs – itemizing could result in substantial tax savings.

Remember, your tax situation can change from year to year, so it's wise to reassess your deduction strategy annually. When in doubt, consult with a tax professional who can provide personalized advice based on your specific financial circumstances.

By taking the time to understand your options and choose the most beneficial deduction method, you can ensure you're minimizing your tax liability and maximizing your potential refund.