💰Federal Income Tax Accounting Unit 6 – Itemized Deductions: Personal Tax Breaks

What Are Itemized Deductions?

• Allow taxpayers to reduce their taxable income by deducting certain expenses
• Must be elected by the taxpayer instead of taking the standard deduction
• Reported on Schedule A of Form 1040
• Generally beneficial for taxpayers with significant deductible expenses
• Include expenses such as medical and dental costs, state and local taxes, mortgage interest, and charitable donations
• Require detailed record-keeping and documentation to substantiate the deductions claimed
• Subject to various limitations and phase-outs based on the taxpayer's income level and filing status

Types of Itemized Deductions

• Medical and dental expenses that exceed 7.5% of the taxpayer's adjusted gross income (AGI)
• State and local income, sales, or property taxes up to a combined limit of $10,000 ($5,000 for married filing separately)
• Mortgage interest on a primary residence and one additional residence
  • Deductible on mortgages up to $750,000 ($375,000 for married filing separately) for loans originated after December 15, 2017
  • For loans originated before this date, the limit is $1 million ($500,000 for married filing separately)
• Investment interest expense to the extent of net investment income
• Charitable contributions to qualified organizations, generally limited to 60% of AGI for cash donations and 30% for appreciated property
• Casualty and theft losses attributable to federally declared disasters
• Miscellaneous deductions no longer allowed under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017

Standard vs. Itemized: Which to Choose?

• Taxpayers must choose between itemizing deductions or taking the standard deduction
• The standard deduction is a fixed amount based on filing status (single, married filing jointly, head of household)
• Itemizing is beneficial when the total of itemized deductions exceeds the standard deduction
• Factors to consider include the taxpayer's income level, filing status, and the nature and amount of deductible expenses
• The TCJA significantly increased the standard deduction amounts, making itemizing less advantageous for many taxpayers
• Taxpayers should calculate their taxes using both methods to determine which results in a lower tax liability

Key Personal Tax Breaks

• Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for low to moderate-income working individuals and families
• Child Tax Credit of up to $2,000 per qualifying child under age 17
• Adoption Credit for expenses related to the legal adoption of a child
• American Opportunity Tax Credit and Lifetime Learning Credit for higher education expenses
• Retirement Savings Contributions Credit (Saver's Credit) for low to moderate-income taxpayers who contribute to retirement plans
• Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions for taxpayers with high-deductible health plans
• Deduction for self-employed health insurance premiums
• Exclusion of gain from the sale of a principal residence (up to $250,000 for single filers and$500,000 for married filing jointly)

Calculating Itemized Deductions

• Begin by gathering all relevant documentation, such as receipts, invoices, and bank statements
• Categorize expenses according to the type of itemized deduction (medical, taxes, interest, charitable contributions)
• Apply any applicable limitations or thresholds to each category (e.g., medical expenses must exceed 7.5% of AGI)
• Sum the allowed deductions from each category to determine the total itemized deductions
• Compare the total itemized deductions to the standard deduction for the taxpayer's filing status
• If itemized deductions exceed the standard deduction, enter the total on Schedule A and attach it to Form 1040
• If the standard deduction is higher, claim the standard deduction on Form 1040 instead

Limitations and Phase-outs

• High-income taxpayers may face limitations or phase-outs of certain itemized deductions
• The Pease limitation, which gradually reduced itemized deductions for high-income taxpayers, was suspended by the TCJA until 2026
• The deduction for state and local taxes (SALT) is capped at $10,000 ($5,000 for married filing separately)
• Mortgage interest deduction is limited to interest on $750,000 of acquisition debt ($375,000 for married filing separately) for loans originated after December 15, 2017
• Charitable contribution deductions are generally limited to a percentage of AGI, depending on the type of property donated and the receiving organization
• Medical expense deduction is limited to expenses that exceed 7.5% of AGI
• Miscellaneous itemized deductions subject to the 2% of AGI floor were eliminated by the TCJA

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Failing to keep accurate records and documentation to support itemized deductions
• Claiming deductions for expenses that are not allowed or do not meet the necessary criteria
• Overlooking the impact of limitations and phase-outs on the total deductible amount
• Not considering the interplay between itemized deductions and other tax benefits, such as credits or exclusions
• Misclassifying expenses or reporting them in the wrong category on Schedule A
• Failing to apportion deductions between taxable and tax-exempt income sources (e.g., mortgage interest on a home equity loan used for multiple purposes)
• Not seeking professional tax advice when dealing with complex deduction scenarios or significant changes in financial circumstances

Recent Changes and Future Outlook

• The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 made significant changes to itemized deductions, effective from 2018 through 2025
  • Increased the standard deduction amounts, reducing the number of taxpayers who benefit from itemizing
  • Eliminated the deduction for miscellaneous itemized deductions subject to the 2% of AGI floor
  • Capped the SALT deduction at $10,000 ($5,000 for married filing separately)
  • Lowered the mortgage interest deduction limit for loans originated after December 15, 2017
• The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020 temporarily modified some deduction rules
  • Allowed a $300 above-the-line deduction for cash charitable contributions in 2020, even for non-itemizers
  • Suspended the 60% of AGI limit on cash charitable contributions for 2020
• Future legislation may further alter the rules governing itemized deductions
• Taxpayers should stay informed about changes and consult with tax professionals to optimize their deduction strategy