Standard Deduction

The standard deduction reduces taxable income. It is a benefit that eliminates the need for many taxpayers to itemize actual deductions, such as medical expenses, taxes, interest, and charitable contributions, on Schedule A (Form 1040). The standard deduction is increased by an additional amount for taxpayers who are 65 or older, or are blind.

Standard vs. Itemized Deduction - 2021 | Best Guide
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2021 Standard Deduction

The basic standard deduction for 2021 is:
Single or MFS
$12,550
MFJ or QW
$25,100
HOH
$18,800

Age 65 and/or blind. The additional amounts for age 65 or older and/or blind, per person, per event in 2021 are:
MFJ, QW, or MFS
$1,350
Single or HOH
$1,700

Dependent. The standard deduction in 2021 for an individual who may be claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer cannot exceed the greater of $1,100, or earned income plus $350.

Itemized Deductions

Taxpayers must decide whether to itemize deductions or to use the standard deduction. Generally, taxpayers should itemize deductions if the allowable itemized deductions are greater than the standard deduction. Some taxpayers must itemize deductions because they cannot use the standard deduction.

The standard deduction cannot be used if the taxpayer is:

  • Married filing as Married Filing Separately, and the spouse itemizes deductions.
  • A nonresident alien or a dual-status alien during the year.

A taxpayer may benefit from itemizing deductions on Schedule A (Form 1040), Itemized Deductions, if he or she:

  • Cannot use the standard deduction.
  • Had large unreimbursed medical and dental expenses.
  • Paid interest or taxes on a home.
  • Had large uninsured casualty or theft losses resulting from a presidentally-declared disaster area, or
  • Made large charitable contributions.

Itemized Deductions Limitations

Taxpayers may be subject to limitations on some itemized deductions.

  • Medical and dental expenses. Qualified medical and dental expenses are deductible as itemized deductions to the extent they exceed 7.5% of adjusted gross income (AGI). For example, for an individual with an AGI of $50,000, only those expenses that exceed $3,750 (7.5% of $50,000) would be deductible.
  • Taxes paid. Deductible state and local income, property, and sales taxes are limited to a total amount of $10,000 ($5,000 Married Filing Separately). No deduction is allowed for foreign real property taxes.
  • Interest paid. Deductible home mortgage interest is limited to total acquisition debt incurred after December 15, 2017, on a main and second home combined to $750,000 ($375,000 Married Filing Separately). Acquisition debt before December 16, 2017, is limited to $1 million ($500,000 for Married Filing Separately). Interest on home equity debt is not deductible unless used to buy, build, or substantially improve a qualified home.
  • Charitable contributions. An individual’s deductible charitable cash contributions are limited to 100% (2021) of AGI. Any amount over the limit can be carried forward up to the next five years. No charitable deduction is allowed for payments to higher education institutions in exchange for the right to purchase tickets or seating at an athletic event. No charitable deduction is allowed for contributions of $250 or more without substantiation.
  • Casualty and theft losses. A personal casualty or theft loss is deductible (subject to limitations) only if such loss is attributable to a federally-declared disaster.
  • Gambling losses. Gambling losses (cost of non-winning bingo, lottery, and raffle tickets, for example) are deductible only to the extent of gambling winnings reported as Other Income on Schedule 1 (Form 1040), Additional Income and Adjustments to Income.
  • Other itemized deductions. Other itemized deductions include:

– Amortizable premium on taxable bonds.

– Casualty and theft losses from income producing property.

– Federal estate tax  on income in respect of decedent.

– Impairment related work expenses for persons with disabilities.

– Losses from Ponzi type investment schemes.

– Repayments of more than $3,000 under a claim of right.

– Certain unrecovered investment in a pension.

In addition, a taxpayer with a net qualified disaster loss, who is not itemizing deductions, can claim an increased standard deduction.

Expenses Not Deductible as Itemized Deductions

Certain expenses are not deductible as itemized deductions, including all miscellaneous itemized deductions previously subject to the 2% AGI limitation.

Job Expenses and Certain Miscellaneous Deductions
• Unreimbursed employee business expenses.

• Tax preparation fees.

• Certain legal and accounting fees.

• Clerical help and office rent.

• Custodial (for example, trust account) fees.
• Investment expenses of a regulated investment company (RIC).

• Deduction for repayment under a claim of right if $3,000 or less.

• Investment expenses.

• Safe deposit box fees.
Other Nondeductible Expenses
  • Political contributions.
  • Legal expenses for personal matters that do not produce taxable
    income.
  • Lost or misplaced cash or property.
  • Expenses for meals during regular or extra work hours.
  • The cost of entertaining friends.
  • Commuting expenses.
  • Travel expenses for employment away from home.
  • Travel as a form of education.
  • Expenses of attending a seminar, convention, or similar meeting.
  • Club dues.
  • Expenses of adopting a child. But you may be able to take a credit for adoption expenses.
  • Fines and penalties.
  • Expenses of producing tax-exempt income.

Itemized Deduction or Standard Deduction?

Some taxpayers may decide to take the standard deduction even if the itemized deduction is higher. Conversely, a taxpayer may choose to take the itemized deduction in a lesser amount than the standard deduction.

Example #1: David, 45, is single, has AGI of $100,000, and has the following itemized deductions:
Medical expenses
$8,200
Less 7.5% of AGI threshold
($7,500)
Deductible medical expenses
$700
State and local income tax
$4,025
Real estate tax
$2,650
Mortgage interest paid
$4,850
Noncash charitable contributions
$400
Total itemized deductions
$12,625

Even though his itemized deductions are greater than the standard deduction by $75 ($12,625 minus $12,550), David chooses to take the standard deduction because he was not able to locate receipts to substantiate all of his charitable contributions.

Example #2: Assume the same facts as Example #1, however David has no charitable contributions. His total itemized deductions are now $325 less than the standard deduction ($12,625 minus $400 charitable contribution equals $12,225. David’s standard deduction is $12,550). David chooses to file with the lower itemized deductions because the tax benefit of itemizing on his state return is greater than the tax benefit he loses on the federal return by not taking the standard deduction.