What deductions can you take without itemizing?

Asked by: Efrain Veum  |  Last update: October 27, 2025
Score: 5/5 (15 votes)

You can deduct these expenses whether you take the standard deduction or itemize:
  • Alimony payments.
  • Business use of your car.
  • Business use of your home.
  • Money you put in an IRA.
  • Money you put in health savings accounts.
  • Penalties on early withdrawals from savings.
  • Student loan interest.
  • Teacher expenses.

What can you deduct from taxes if you don't itemize?

You can take above-the-line deductions even if you don't itemize—just be aware that certain conditions may apply. These deductions are used to calculate your adjusted gross income. Some of the most common above-the-line deductions include retirement contributions and student loan interest.

Can you take a charitable deduction if you are not itemizing?

However, taxpayers who don't itemize deductions may take a charitable deduction of up to $300 for cash contributions made in 2020 to qualifying organizations. For the purposes of this deduction, qualifying organizations are those that are religious, charitable, educational, scientific or literary in purpose.

What is an alternative to itemizing deductions?

Standard deduction

The IRS doesn't often give you options. But it does allow you to choose between taking the standard deduction or the itemized deductions on your income tax return. Visit the IRS' website for specifics on the standard deductions.

At what point is it worth it to itemize deductions?

You should itemize deductions on Schedule A (Form 1040), Itemized Deductions if the total amount of your allowable itemized deductions is greater than your standard deduction or if you must itemize deductions because you can't use the standard deduction.

Standard Deduction Explained: Maximize Your Tax Savings for 2024 & 2025

34 related questions found

What are three itemized deductions I could claim?

Home mortgage interest. Income, sales, real estate and personal property taxes. Losses from disasters and theft. Medical and dental expenses over 7.5% of your adjusted gross income.

Are health insurance premiums tax deductible?

You can include health insurance premiums in your medical expense calculations. However, certain premiums are not eligible for medical expense deductions. You cannot include the following premiums in your tax deductions: Life insurance policies.

What are things you can write-off on taxes?

Check them out to see if you qualify when you're filing your next federal income tax return.
  • State income or sales tax deduction. ...
  • Property tax deduction. ...
  • Student loan interest deduction. ...
  • Home mortgage interest deduction. ...
  • IRA deduction. ...
  • Self-employed SEP, SIMPLE, and qualified plans deduction.

Can you deduct medical expenses without itemizing?

Key Takeaways. The IRS allows all taxpayers to deduct their qualified unreimbursed medical care expenses that exceed 7.5% of their adjusted gross income. You must itemize your deductions on IRS Schedule A in order to deduct your medical expenses instead of taking the Standard Deduction.

How much mortgage interest can I deduct on my taxes?

You can deduct the mortgage interest you paid during the tax year on the first $750,000 of your mortgage debt for your primary home or a second home. If you are married filing separately, the limit drops to $375,000.

How much can I write-off for clothing donations?

How much can I deduct for household items and clothing? You can deduct the amount based on a percentage of your Adjusted Gross Income. The fair market value of donated items in good or used condition can be claimed as a deduction on your tax return. You can claim a deduction of up to 60% of your Adjusted Gross Income.

Which of the following can be used as an itemized deduction?

The most common itemized deductions are those for state and local taxes, mortgage interest, charitable contributions, and medical and dental expenses.

Is it worth claiming goodwill donations on taxes?

You can deduct every goodwill charitable contribution you make from your taxable income. While this deduction doesn't affect self-employment taxes, it does help when paying income taxes.

Can you still take a charitable deduction without itemizing?

Taxpayers who took the standard deduction used to be able to claim up to $600 in cash donations to qualified charities without having to itemize. They can no longer do so. Despite these changes, there are still many ways to make charitable gifts work for causes you believe in — and your tax returns.

What are the allowable deductions?

Allowable deductions are all expenses actually incurred by the company in the ordinary course of activities necessary to generate income or other economic benefits for the company (e.g. raw materials and supplies, rent of premises, fuel costs, costs of goods sold, etc.).

Can you deduct sales tax without itemizing?

The deduction for your sales tax payments is only available if you itemize. To make this determination, add up all of your expenses that are eligible to be itemized, including your sales taxes.

What can I deduct on my taxes without itemizing?

To reap the benefits of deductions without the hassle of itemization, Backman notes you'll need line items that fall into these categories — contributions to your IRA, contributions to your HSA (health savings account), expenses you incur as a teacher like purchasing classroom supplies, and interest on student loans.

Is car insurance tax deductible?

If you only use your car for personal use, then you likely can't deduct your car insurance premiums from your taxable income. Generally, you need to use your vehicle for business-related reasons (other than as an employee) to deduct part of your car insurance premiums as a business expense.

Can you deduct Medicare premiums?

Yes, Medicare premiums are tax deductible as a medical expense as long as you meet two requirements. First, you must itemize your deductions on your tax return to deduct them from your taxable income. Second, only medical expenses that exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) are deductible.

What expenses are 100% deductible?

What Is a 100 Percent Tax Deduction?
  • Furniture purchased entirely for office use is 100 percent deductible in the year of purchase.
  • Office equipment, such as computers, printers and scanners are 100 percent deductible.
  • Business travel and its associated costs, like car rentals, hotels, etc. is 100 percent deductible.

How can I lower my taxable income?

  1. Invest in municipal bonds.
  2. Shoot for long-term capital gains.
  3. Start a business.
  4. Max out retirement accounts and employee benefits.
  5. Use a health savings account.
  6. Claim tax credits.

What is one disadvantage of itemizing your deductions?

Unlike standard deductions, itemizing is a manual process that requires gathering documentation and tallying expenses. Depending on how good your records are and the amount of your deductions, this time-consuming process might not reduce your taxable income enough to make it worth the effort.

Can I deduct prescriptions on my taxes?

If you itemize deductions, you can deduct unreimbursed medical and dental expenses that exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI). The IRS allows you to deduct expenses for many medically necessary products and services, including surgeries, prescription medications, and dental and vision care.

Is homeowners insurance tax deductible?

You may look for ways to reduce costs including turning to your tax return. Some taxpayers have asked if homeowner's insurance is tax deductible. Here's the skinny: You can only deduct homeowner's insurance premiums paid on rental properties. Homeowner's insurance is never tax deductible your main home.

Is self-employment tax deductible?

Reporting self-employment tax

When figuring your adjusted gross income on Form 1040, Form 1040-SR, or Form 1040-NR, you can deduct one-half of the self-employment tax. You calculate this deduction on Schedule SE (attach Schedule 1 (Form 1040), Additional Income and Adjustments to Income PDF).