Standard Deduction bigger than Itemizing question

Forum|Forum|1 year ago
April 12, 2025
1 reply
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I am self-employed and we've always itemized. This year, the standard deduction is giving us a bigger refund.

I'm asking because it was close (the 2 methods) and I did input all of our charitable contributions (there are quite a few) and all my self-employed business deductions, etc. like I have done every year. My question is - now that we will be choosing the standard deduction, will the IRS actually SEE all of the charity/self-employed stuff that I've entered into TT? Because next year I will be filing alone (due to divorce) and wanted the IRS to see the continuous pattern of charitable giving (etc.) from year to year. I've always assumed that they look for some sort of consistency in peoples' returns year after year. Maybe they don't, but it makes sense (to me) that they would.

I hope this makes sense. Thank you in advance.

Not A Product Question

bwoirhaye

If you take the standard deduction, there won't be a Schedule A filed, so the IRS will not see the charitable deductions and other deductions.

Most self employment stuff would be on a different form like a schedule C, that wouldn't be different if you took the standard deduction.

I am not qualified to speculate on whether they look for a pattern of charitable giving from year to year, but as long as you don't try to deduct more than you are allowed to, it should be fine.

squidladyAuthor

Employee

Thank you for this information, I appreciate it! I would imagine it is quite common for people to itemize some years and take the standard deduction other years, if they have fluctuating incomes (like I do).

bwoirhaye

I imagine so. Personally, I try to bunch up charitable donations into a single taxable year (eg: donate to annual causes in January and December) and go light the next year, so I can do one year with higher itemized deductions and the next year with a standard deduction.