The IRS Deductions Blog

Posts Tagged ‘federal income tax itemized deductions’

Question: Can I change my state tax return to standard deduction from itemized even though I didnt change my federal?

I am being audit for state tax and they are requesting my doc and receipts for my Itemized Deductions…I did not keep anything…can I just take the standard for my state instead of itemized like i did for my federal. This is for NC state return

Answer: If you change your state return, the NC Department of Revenue will notify the IRS about the changes.

Your best bet is to go back to the charities, etc. and ask for duplicate receipts. If you paid by check or credit card, go through your bank records.

It is unusual for NC to audit your itemized deductions without anything from the IRS first.

Suggestions for the future:

1. Keep all receipts in a box or envelope.

2. Get a scanner and scan the important documents. Use an on-line service (Mozy at Home, SugarSync, etc.) to keep copies in case of a hard drive crash.

Many taxpayers itemize their deductions on their federal return but take the standard deduction on their state tax returns because after subtracting off their state income taxes, their deductions are below the standard deduction for the state.

I hope this helps.
Gary

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Question: Help on Schedule A – Itemized Deduction?

How do I get the value to put on Federal Schedule A – Itemized Deduction under taxes You Paid , Line 5 – State and Local Income Taxes? Where can I get the numbers to put there? Is it on my W2 Form? If yes, which boxes in W2 I need to add?
Thanks, I checked on PUBLICATION 17… it says add box 14 17 19. Thanks for confirming this!

Answer: That amount is found on your W-2 under “state income tax” (box 17). If you have local taxes as well (box 19), you add them to your state taxes to get a total.

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Recently, in a surprise move, the IRS reversed its position regarding the tax reporting of community property income by registered domestic partners.

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Question: Should I itemize deductions to claim state sales tax?

I am 24 and will be filing jointly with my wife. We have no house, kids or major deductions. We live in Texas which has no state income tax. Is it worth it to itemize our deductions just so we can claim state sales tax?

Answer: You need to have greater than 11000 dollars of deductions to make it worth your time to itemize your deductions. Otherwise just used the standard deduction.

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