Is the answer on turbo tax regarding how to tell whether you take standard deduction wrong?

Forum|Forum|2 years ago
March 5, 2024
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Here is the answer I found online

"Here's how you can tell which deduction you took on last year's federal tax return: If the amount on Line 12a of last year's Form 1040 ends with a number other than 0, you itemized. If this amount ends with 0, it's likely you took the Standard Deduction."

look at my tax return of 2021. And I know I took standard deduction that year. How shall I understand the above answer?

And For year of 2023, there is no 12a on 1040 form, so where can I find out the type of deduction? And I am very sure I took standard deduction for 2023.

Thanks

Best answer by VolvoGirl

Hello,

I just want to figure it out what deduction I took was identified on 1040 form.

Still take the picture I attached as an example , that is for 2021.

on line 12aStandard deduction or itemized deductions (from Schedule A). , it is 25100.

It also list out standard deduction for married jointly is 25100 on the left side.

So is this standard deduction or itemized one?

If this is standard one, then the online answer confused me:" If there is any other digit, there would be a 100% chance it was an Itemized deduction".

Or this is for past years when standard deduction is zero. It is not applicable for 2021 and after years.

Thanks

If this is standard one, then the online answer confused me:" If there is any other digit, there would be a 100% chance it was an Itemized deduction".

Or this is for past years when standard deduction is zero. It is not applicable for 2021 and after years.

That is right and is for every year even 2023. If the amount on line 12 ends in a zero (the last digit) it is 99% sure it used the Standard Deduction. All the Standard Deduction amounts end in a zero like your 25,100. There are a couple situations that the SD can end in a digit other than 0. Like if you are a dependent.

If line 12 ends in a number other that zero like 26,187 that usually means you took the Itemized Deductions and would have Schedule A.

xmasbaby0

Employee

Your standard deduction lowers your taxable income. The standard deduction makes some of your income “tax free.” It is not a refund. You will see your standard or itemized deduction amount on line 12 of your 2023 Form 1040.

2023 STANDARD DEDUCTION AMOUNTS

SINGLE $13,850 (65 or older/legally blind + $1850)

MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY $13,850 (65 or older/legally blind + $1500)

MARRIED FILING JOINTLY $27,700 (65+/legally blind) ) + $1500 per spouse

HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD $20,800 (65 or older/blind) + $1850)

2022 STANDARD DEDUCTION AMOUNTS

SINGLE $12,950 (65 or older + $1750)

MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY $12,950 (65 or older + $1750)

MARRIED FILING JOINTLY $25,900 (65 or older + $1400 per spouse)

HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD $19,400 (65 or older +$1750)

Legally Blind + $1750

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**

xmasbaby0

Employee

And just so you know-----there was a line 12a and 12b on a 2021 Form 1040 but for tax years 2022 and 2023, there is just line 12. (no a and b) So you were looking at old FAQ that referred to lines 12a and 12b.

Texas Roger

Employee

Just look at your tax return and see if a Schedule A is included with the deduction amount shown on the Schedule A that matches the deduction amount on line 12 of form 1040. If there is a Schedule A with that amount, you itemized deductions rather than taking the standard deduction. If there is no Schedule A, you took the standard deduction which matches the amounts shown by the other posters.