Comments on: Apples and Oranges? Standard Deductions vs. Itemized Deductions

By: TurboTax KarenL

TurboTax KarenL — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 22:47:27 +0000

Hi Laura – How it works is if you file as Married Filing Separately you both have to file the same way. What I mean is that if he itemizes deductions, then you itemize deductions. The only way to claim medical expenses is by itemizing deductions on Schedule A. And, only the medical expenses over 7.5% of your adjusted gross income will be included. Hope that helps. Thanks, Karen

By: Laura

Laura — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 23:27:44 +0000

Do I have to file jointly with my husband to claim my medical expenses?

By: TurboTaxLisa

TurboTaxLisa — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:39:06 +0000

Hi Dee,
What was written was just the opposite, but it is correct. It is saying if you are MFS and your spouse chooses the standard deduction then you cannot itemize your deductions, you would have to take the standard deduction as well.
If you didn’t it would be doing the same thing page 7 publication 501 says not to do.
See IRS http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=105101,00.html #4
Bottom line is if you file MFS, both you and your spouse have to chose one or the other (standard or itemized). One can’t claim standard and the other itemized.
Thank you,
Lisa Greene-Lewis

By: Dee Swan

Dee Swan — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 20:24:47 +0000

The IRS Publication 501 (Page 7) is: You cannot use the Standard deduction if your spouse itemizes. You wrote, “If you are married filing separately, and your spouse chooses the standard deduction, you cannot itemize.” – Per a conversation with the “IRS” today, April 11, 2012, what you wrote is incorrect.