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TAX YEAR
2019
Standard vs. Itemized

Deduction

Standard Deduction • Cannot use the standard deduction.
• Had large unreimbursed medical and dental expenses.
The standard deduction reduces taxable income. It is a • Paid interest or taxes on a home.
benefit that eliminates the need for many taxpayers to • Had large uninsured casualty or theft losses resulting
itemize actual deductions, such as medical expenses, from a presidentally-declared disaster area, or
taxes, interest, and charitable contributions, on Sched- • Made large charitable contributions.
ule A (Form 1040). The standard deduction is increased
by an additional amount for taxpayers who are 65 or Itemized Deductions Limitations
older, or are blind. Taxpayers may be subject to limitations on some item-
ized deductions.
2019 Standard Deduction
The basic standard deduction for 2019 is: • Medical and dental expenses. Qualified medical and
Single or MFS ........................................................................... $ 12,200 dental expenses are deductible as itemized deduc-
MFJ or QW ................................................................................ $ 24,400 tions to the extent they exceed 10% of adjusted gross
HOH ........................................................................................... $ 18,350 income (AGI). For example, for an individual with an
Age 65 and/or blind. The additional amounts for age 65 or older AGI of $50,000, only those expenses that exceed $5,000
and/or blind, per person, per event in 2019 are: (10% of $50,000) would be deductible.
MFJ, QW, or MFS ........................................................................ $ 1,300 • Taxes paid. Deductible state and local income, prop-
Single or HOH ............................................................................. $ 1,650 erty, and sales taxes are limited to a total amount of
Dependent. The standard deduction in 2019 for an individual who may $10,000 ($5,000 Married Filing Separately). No deduc-
be claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer cannot exceed the tion is allowed for foreign real property taxes.
greater of $ 1,100, or earned income plus $ 350.
• Interest paid. Deductible home mortgage interest is
Itemized Deduction limited to total acquisition debt incurred on or after
Taxpayers must decide whether to itemize deductions December 15, 2017 on a main and second home com-
or to use the standard deduction. Generally, taxpayers bined to $750,000 ($375,000 Married Filing Separately).
should itemize deductions if the allowable itemized de- Acquisition debt before December 15, 2017, remains
ductions are greater than the standard deduction. Some limited to $1 million ($500,000 for Married Filing Sepa-
taxpayers must itemize deductions because they cannot rately). Interest on home equity debt is not deductible.
use the standard deduction. • Charitable contributions. An individual’s deduct-
ible charitable cash contributions are limited to 60%
The standard deduction cannot be used if the taxpayer is: of AGI. Any amount over the limit can be carried for-
• Married filing as Married Filing Separately, and the ward up to the next five years. No charitable deduction
spouse itemizes deductions. is allowed for payments to higher education institu-
• A nonresident alien or a dual-status alien during the tions in exchange for the right to purchase tickets or
year. seating at an athletic event. No charitable deduction
A taxpayer may benefit from itemizing deductions on is allowed for contributions of $250 or more without
Schedule A (Form 1040), Itemized Deductions, if he or she: substantiation.