Question

How can my standard deduction of 12000 be better than my mileage itemized deduction of 26000. 2 years in a row now i dont understand

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
February 11, 2020
1 reply
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standard deductions for 2018 and 2019 were 12000
my itemized deductions for mileage along were 24k for 2018 and 26 for 2019 how does this work when it always says the standard deduction is better?

TurboTax Live Self Employed

N

NCPERSON1

if you are a W-2 employee, you are not eligible for the mileage deduction.

if you are self-employed, the mileage needs to be on Schedule C.

if you filled out TT correctly, TT would put the mileage on Schedule C for you; taking the standard deduction has no impact on schedule C.

J

jeraldsullivanAuthor

Has this changed recently? 2016 and 2017 were on schedule A not schedule C.

N

NCPERSON1

for W-2 employees, unreimbursed mileage was deductible in 2016-2017 and the law changed and it no longer is.

so I guess it is possible if you were self employed in 2016-2017 and inadvertantly put the mileage on Schedule A, it would have worked with no bottom line impact on your taxes. But beginning in 2018 it wouldn't work due to the tax law change,.