You must track the expenses, keep receipts or other documentation proving you spent the money for deductible purposes, and-if you’re doing taxes using paper and pen-fill out additional tax forms. But itemizing can be much more of a hassle than taking the standard deduction. You have a wide range of expenses you can claim as itemized deductions, including out-of-pocket medical expenses, state and local taxes, home mortgage interest and charitable contributions. You file as an estate or trust, common trust fund or partnership.You file a return for less than 12 months due to a change in your accounting period.You were what the IRS calls a “nonresident alien” or a “dual-status alien” during the tax year.You are married and file separately from a spouse who itemizes deductions.You cannot claim the standard deduction if: Generally, the standard deduction is available to anyone who doesn’t itemize, although there are a few exceptions. When Can You Claim the Standard Deduction? Here’s what that means: If you earned $75,000 in 2022 and file as a single taxpayer, taking the standard deduction of $12,950 will reduce your taxable income to $62,050. You simply claim a flat dollar amount determined by the IRS. The standard deduction is the simplest way to reduce your taxable income on your tax return. Married Filing Jointly & Surviving Spouses
